Pressure was no longer theoretical.
It had a face.
A name.
A reputation that walked ahead of the person carrying it.
Rohan Patil.
…
1. The Shift in Atmosphere
The next KSCA session didn't feel the same.
The jokes were quieter.
The stretches were longer.
The bowlers warmed up with more intent.
Everyone knew it.
When someone like Rohan entered the frame, comparisons began automatically.
Future India probables.
Next Ranji lock.
IPL material.
And now—
Rudra Sharma vs Rohan Patil.
Even if no one said it out loud.
…
2. Media Eyes Arrive
Two local sports journalists stood near the boundary rope.
Notepads out.
Camera dangling.
Action Anand's voice echoed faintly from a nearby radio van doing practice commentary for an upcoming inter-state match.
"Keep an eye on this one, folks," Anand said excitedly.
"Teenage talent everywhere! Karnataka's future looking brighter than a Chinnaswamy floodlight!"
Rudra didn't look up.
But the System did.
…
SYSTEM NOTICE
🟡 External Attention Detected
Public Reputation: Minor Surge (+3)
🟢 Mental Fortitude Check: Stable
…
3. The Drill That Breaks Players
Coach Iyer clapped his hands.
"Middle practice," he announced.
"Scenario batting. Target: 72 in 8 overs."
Heads turned.
That wasn't generous.
It was cruel.
"Rohan opens," the coach continued.
"Rudra at three."
No explanation.
Just design.
…
4. Watching the Standard
Rohan opened like a textbook written in bold ink.
No panic.
No rush.
He punished width.
Respected movement.
A four here.
A sharp two there.
Not flashy.
Effective.
Major Rathore nodded in approval.
"That," he said dryly, "is how pressure is managed. No circus."
…
5. The Collapse
At 38 for 1, the second batsman mistimed a pull.
Caught.
Next over—run out.
Suddenly: 41 for 3.
The required rate jumped.
Eyes turned.
Rudra walked in.
Helmet on.
Expression unchanged.
But internally—
The System hummed louder.
…
SYSTEM MODE ACTIVATED
🟢 Scenario Simulation: High-Stakes Chase
Mental Fortitude: +Temporary Boost
Focus: Locked (Lv 6 – Peak State)
…
6. Two Anchors, One Storm
Rohan didn't change his tempo.
Rudra didn't match it.
Instead, he recalculated.
Singles into the off-side.
Late dabs.
Soft hands.
The scoreboard moved.
Quietly.
Veer Singh, watching from the boundary, clenched his jaw.
He's suffocating the chase, he realized.
Not with power.
With denial.
…
7. The Over That Defines Perception
Sixth over.
Required: 18 off 12.
Bowler: Left-arm seamer.
First ball to Rudra—length outside off.
Rudra stepped inside the line and opened the face.
Four.
The bowler panicked.
Second ball—short.
Pulled. Not hard.
Placed.
Another boundary.
The journalists scribbled furiously.
Action Anand's voice rose.
"OOOH! That's not strength, that's surgery! Rudra Sharma cutting the field like a chess grandmaster!"
Major Rathore frowned.
But said nothing.
…
8. Rohan Reacts
For the first time—
Rohan adjusted to Rudra.
He called for a quick single that wasn't there.
Rudra responded instantly.
Both made it.
Their eyes met mid-pitch.
This time—
No hierarchy.
Just parity.
…
9. The Finish
Last over.
6 needed.
Rohan on strike.
He looked at Rudra.
"You want it?" he asked quietly.
Rudra nodded once.
The ball came.
Half-volley.
Rudra stepped in.
Straight drive.
Clean.
Flat.
Unarguable.
Match done.
…
SYSTEM CONFIRMATION
🟢 High-Pressure Scenario Completed
Decision Speed: +1
Public Reputation: +5
Elite Benchmark: Approaching Threshold
…
10. After the Applause
No cheering.
Just approval.
Coach Iyer wrote something down.
Dr. Subramanium smiled faintly.
Major Rathore finally spoke.
"…I still don't like his shot selection."
A pause.
"But he doesn't waste balls."
From Rathore—
That was respect.
…
11. The Weight Settles In
As the sun dipped lower, Rudra sat alone tying his shoelaces.
Pressure now had context.
It wasn't fear.
It was expectation.
And expectation—
Demanded repetition.
Not miracles.
…
Rudra exhaled slowly.
Good.
Now I know what I'm chasing.
…
End of Chapter 66
Next Chapter:
Chapter 67: When the Crowd Chooses Sides
—Where applause becomes selective, and silence becomes louder than noise.