Cricket Ascend System

Chapter 38: First Friendly

Selection changed everything at school.

Now Sahil wasn’t just a trial player anymore.

He officially belonged to the cricket squad.

And immediately—

expectations increased.

Morning fitness became harsher. freeweɓnøvel.com

Net sessions longer.

Fielding drills more serious.

Even senior players treated him differently now.

Not softly.

Competitively.

Because once someone entered the squad—

they became competition.

Three days after selection—

Coach Verma gathered everyone near practice pitch.

"We have a friendly match tomorrow."

Instant attention.

"Against who?" Aman asked.

"DAV Sector 8."

Immediately—

the atmosphere tightened slightly.

Because DAV’s cricket team had reputation.

Disciplined batting.

Strong fast bowlers.

Multiple district-level players.

Coach Verma continued calmly.

"This is unofficial."

Then his eyes sharpened slightly.

"But I will judge performances seriously."

That line changed everything.

Sahil felt excitement immediately.

A real inter-school match.

Different school.

Unknown bowlers.

New pressure.

The system appeared quietly afterward.

NEW EVENT

Inter-School Friendly Match

Opponent Level: Above Average School Standard

Potential Benefits: ✔ Match Experience ✔ Reputation Growth ✔ Pressure Adaptation

Then another notification appeared.

MATCH TEMPERAMENT MISSION

Current Progress: 71%

Reminder: Avoid reckless aerial dismissal.

That mission followed him everywhere now.

The next morning—

the school team traveled together in small rented bus.

And honestly?

Sahil loved every second of it.

Players discussing batting orders.

Music playing softly.

Kitbags stacked everywhere.

Even casual team arguments felt exciting.

This felt like real cricket.

Not Riverside chaos.

Not lonely streetlight practice.

A team.

Kabir sat beside window quietly reviewing notes on bowlers.

Meanwhile Aman discussed field settings with Coach Verma near front seat.

Everything looked professional compared to gully cricket.

Sahil mostly stayed silent observing.

Still learning.

When they reached the ground—

Sahil froze briefly.

Because DAV’s ground looked beautiful.

Actual grass outfield.

Sight screen.

Practice nets.

Even proper scoreboard.

And warming up nearby— ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

DAV players already looked sharp.

Clean techniques.

Matching kits.

Fast bowlers doing sprint drills seriously.

One player especially stood out.

Tall left-arm pacer.

Fast run-up.

Smooth action.

Kabir noticed Sahil staring.

"Arnav Mehra," he said calmly.

"District under-19."

That immediately explained things.

Sahil’s heartbeat sped up slightly.

This was higher level than school nets already.

Coach Verma announced batting order before toss.

Kabir at three.

Sahil at five again.

Finisher role staying permanent.

"Don’t think about sixes immediately," Coach Verma warned while adjusting cap.

"Observe conditions first."

Then he looked directly at Sahil.

"And respect good bowling."

That last line mattered.

Because deep down—

Sahil still believed he could hit anyone.

The match started badly.

Very badly.

Their school lost two wickets early against Arnav’s pace.

The ball moved sharply.

Batters struggled badly.

After 7 overs:

Shastri School — 42/3

And Sahil walked in.

Immediately—

DAV fielders became louder.

More aggressive.

Because they had already heard stories too.

The "power hitter" from Riverside.

Arnav Mehra took ball again instantly after seeing Sahil arrive.

Smart decision.

Attack new batter immediately.

First delivery.

Fast.

Short of length.

The ball rushed past Sahil’s bat before he reacted fully.

For first time in weeks—

he looked late.

Properly late.

DELIVERY ANALYSIS

Bowling Pace: High School Elite Level

Host Reaction: Delayed

Problem: Backlift preparation slow against higher pace.

Sahil tightened grip slightly.

This was different.

Very different.

Second ball.

Fuller outside off.

Sahil defended awkwardly.

The impact stung his hands instantly.

Slip fielders smirked.

"Thought he only hits sixes."

Old Sahil would’ve reacted emotionally immediately.

Tried forcing shot.

Current Sahil stayed quiet.

Barely.

Then came the third delivery.

Good length again.

Slight width outside off.

Sahil waited.

Longer than usual.

Watched closely.

Then drove.

CRACK.

The straight drive raced past bowler before anyone moved.

FOUR.

Pure timing.

No excessive force.

Just clean contact.

The ground became quiet briefly afterward.

Even Arnav looked back at boundary once.

SHOT ANALYSIS COMPLETE

Connection Quality: 94%

Timing: 92%

Perfect Timing Pathway Progress: 18 / 1000

For the first time—

Sahil had timed a district-level pacer cleanly.

And somehow—

that boundary felt bigger than every Riverside six combined.