"Okay, then go score a century and dedicate it to me in your mind."
"Will do darling. I have to go now for the practice. There are only a few hours left."
"All the best, bye"
"All the best to you too."
ARNAV
"Hey, give me your phone. I will take it there"
"Thanks bro." I said handing over my personal phone, laptop and ipod to Rishabh.
"I will be back in a minute. See you at the ground."
"Sure"
I went to the ground and waited for him.
"Why are you wearing this jersey for practice?" Rishabh asked me as he came down in his blue jersey.
"I don't know. I felt like wearing it." I said to him.
"Arnav, why are you in red?" It was Coach Shah this time.
"I don't know coach, should I change."
"Well no need for that. We have a little time left."
We followed him to the nets. I had different bowlers bowl against me. Pacers and Spinners tried their luck and finally one of them was successful in hitting the stumps.
Coach was satisfied with my performance except for the last ball and gave me tips to face such spinners.
Rishabh was in the fielding session and I joined him.
"Come here Rishabh." I heard Coach Shah call him.
"That guy would not allow us to practice together." Rishabh said before he left.
That was an indication that he knew us very well.
I started from where he left and continued for a good half hour.
"Finally." Rishabh said as he reached the dressing room fifteen minutes after me.
"What finally Rishabh?, go have a shower."
"Not now."
"Why? When are you showering then, after the match?"
"Nope, after the toss."
"And why is that so?"
"I will have time for a shower then too, if we are fielding first I will take the shower then, if batting then I have more than enough time."
"No Mr. Singhania, you are showering now." Coach said coming into the room.
"Rahul come with me", he said as he saw Rishabh walk away.
Rishabh had always been like this. He argues over silly things.
I saw Rahul go down to the centre for the toss. The crowd cheered for him, but more people cheered as the captain of the opponent team came down. We weren't playing against the Proteas , still our opponents had the majority support in the neutral venue. I can't imagine the home support when we play against them then.
"Heads is the call." I heard the commentator say as the other captain tossed the coin.
"And tails it is." I heard the match referee say.
We had lost the toss.
"We will bowl first." Rahul's counterpart said as he was handed over the mike by the South African commentator.
"What do you think about your opponents for the night?" The commentator asked.
"They have been a great team and it is good to have strong teams like this as opponents."
"Why did you go for bowling first in a pitch like this?"
"We had been practising a lot and the pitch seemed to favour the batsmen as time went by. We are sure we will be able to chase down anything. In addition, we have a well-trained bowling attack and have devised plans to break the opening partnership, which is said to be unbreakable." He concluded.
"You will be batting first, what have you planned?" The commentator asked Rahul.
"The boys are well prepared and confident to face any challenge that comes their way. Batting or bowling first doesn't matter if you end up well and end up winning."
"What do you have to say about them changeling your opening partnership which is unbelievably strong?"
"We have a strong batting line up, and the opening pair of Rishabh and Shyam worked in our favour. One down Arnav played his part very well and then it was I, this time you will see some changes.
"What changes?"
"You will see soon." He said as the commentator returned to his mike.
"So we have two teams, strong and confident taking on each other. All I can assure you is that it will be a treat for the audience in a ground with assured run flow."
"Hey Arnav, you ready?" Rahul asked as he came in.
"Almost, need two more minutes." I said picking up my bat and other accessories.
"Are you nervous?" He asked me.
"Nope, you?"
"Not at all, I am excited."
"Great, have you opened any innings before?"
"No, that is why I am all excited."
"Great, I have opened a few innings back then during my state level days. I did well then, hope to do so here."
"Let us see what we can do."
"We will create wonders. As they all say, we share a great chemistry in the ground."
"Yeah right" Rishabh said coming in with our team members and the coach.
"Are you guys ready?" Coach asked us.
"Yes sir and confident enough."
"Great, now I don't want a partnership less than one hundred and fifty, is that clear?"
"Yes sir." We said.
"And you guys better break our unbeaten opening stand of 369 runs." Shyam said pointing to himself and Rishabh.
"Will try right?" Rahul asked looking at me.
"I am happy that the mood is light here." Coach said. The others wished us all the best as we went down to the ground.
"A huge surprise for all the viewers , it is not Rishabh and Shyam opening the innings for India, but the captain and the vice captain themselves." I heard the commentator say as we walked downwards.
I would not have any disturbance from that sound once I reach the middle. I wonder if Khushi is watching the match or not. She will be because one she loves me, and two she has work related to this. I kept my thoughts away for a while and concentrated on the match.
A/N:
I know it was short. I am sorry for that.
Let me know how it was through your comments and Likes.
I have exams coming up and will be busy until next Monday
Please pray for me
Edited by gowri1712 - 11 years ago
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