Chapter 18: The Final Push

The Warriors were well on their way to chasing down the Silver Knights' total of 173 runs. With Raj and Anya both set at the crease, the target was within sight. But the pressure was mounting. The Knights weren't a team that would go down without a fight.

As the 16th over began, Raj was feeling the effects of using the bat's powers. The warning about fatigue echoed in his mind, and his arms felt heavier than usual. He had been leaning on the bat's mystical abilities throughout the innings—its Focus Vision had helped him read the ball and find gaps, but now it seemed to be taking a toll.

Raj glanced at the scoreboard: 110 for no loss, with just 63 runs needed from 30 balls. The required run rate wasn't too daunting, but the Knights had brought their best bowlers back into the attack, determined to break the partnership.

Vikram, the fiery fast bowler, returned to the crease. His first ball to Raj was a short-pitched delivery, aimed directly at his body. Raj pulled the ball with precision, sending it to deep square leg, but this time the fielder was in position. They ran a quick single.

Raj's mind raced. He had to make a choice—continue using the bat's powers, or conserve his energy for the final stretch. Anya walked over, tapping him on the shoulder.

"You okay?" she asked. "You're not playing like yourself."

Raj nodded. "Yeah, just trying to pace myself. The last few overs are going to be tough."

Anya, now on 48 off 39 balls, took strike. Vikram charged in again, delivering a full ball aimed at middle stump. Anya leaned forward and flicked the ball elegantly through mid-wicket. The crowd cheered as the ball raced to the boundary, bringing up her half-century.

Anya raised her bat in acknowledgment, but there was no time to celebrate. The Warriors still had a job to do.

Warriors: 115 for no loss after 16 overs. The target was now 58 runs from 24 balls.

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Harish, the Knights' star spinner, was brought back into the attack for the 17th over. He had been economical earlier, but Raj knew he had to take him on if they were to chase the target. The spinner's flighted deliveries were tricky, but Raj's Focus Vision kicked in once more, sharpening his senses.

Harish's first ball drifted in, turning away sharply. Raj stepped forward and drove it through the covers. It wasn't perfectly timed, but they managed to run two. The next ball was flatter, and Raj pulled it toward deep mid-wicket. Another couple of runs.

Raj felt the strain of pushing himself, but he couldn't afford to slow down now. The next delivery was overpitched, and Raj went for the big shot, launching it straight down the ground. The ball sailed over the bowler's head and into the stands for a massive six.

The crowd erupted, and Raj felt a surge of energy. 124 for no loss after 16.3 overs. The target was shrinking rapidly—just 49 more runs from 21 balls.

The level-up system flickered in his mind, reminding him that his powers came with a cost. But Raj pushed the thought aside. They were so close.

Harish responded with a dot ball, followed by a single to end the over. The Warriors were now at 125 for no loss after 17 overs, needing 48 runs from 18 balls. The required rate was rising, but Raj was determined to see it through.

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Vikram returned for the 18th over, steamrolling in with renewed intensity. He bowled a perfect yorker first ball, and Raj barely managed to dig it out for a single. Anya, who had been playing steadily, now took on the responsibility of keeping up the run rate.

Vikram's next delivery to Anya was short and wide outside off stump. She slashed at it, sending the ball flying to the point boundary for four. The Warriors' fans were on their feet, sensing victory.

But Vikram wasn't giving up. His next ball was another yorker, this time to Anya. She couldn't get under it, and they had to settle for a dot ball. The pressure was building again.

The next delivery was full and fast, and Anya tried to flick it past square leg but mistimed the shot. The ball skidded off her pad, and they scrambled for a leg bye.

With two balls left in the over, Raj was back on strike. He took guard, feeling the weight of the moment. Vikram ran in, delivering a full, straight ball aimed at the stumps. Raj reacted quickly, bringing the bat down in a perfect drive. The ball shot past the bowler and into the gap at long-off. They ran hard and managed to pick up two runs.

The final ball of the over was another short delivery. Raj pulled it again, but this time he didn't connect cleanly. The ball dropped just short of the fielder at deep square leg, and they ran another quick single.

Warriors: 133 for no loss after 18 overs. They now needed 40 runs from 12 balls. It was still possible, but Raj knew they would have to take risks.

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Harish came on for the 19th over, and Raj decided it was time to unleash everything he had. He had been holding back the bat's power, but now it was time to gamble. The Precision Strike ability had appeared as an option in the level-up system earlier, and Raj knew this was his moment to use it.

He activated the ability in his mind, feeling a sudden surge of energy flow through him. The bat felt lighter in his hands, and everything around him slowed down once again. He could see the exact trajectory of the ball before it even left Harish's hand.

The first ball was tossed up, and Raj stepped forward, launching it high and wide. The ball flew over long-on and into the crowd for a towering six. The Warriors' supporters roared as the scoreboard ticked over.

Warriors: 139 for no loss.

Harish was visibly shaken. His next delivery was shorter, and Raj took full advantage. He swung hard, sending the ball racing to the square leg boundary for another four.

143 for no loss.

Raj's heart pounded as he felt the bat's energy start to wane. The Precision Strike had drained a lot of his stamina, and his muscles were starting to feel the fatigue. But there were still five balls left in the over, and they needed to make every run count.

Harish came in again, and this time Raj mistimed his shot, only managing a single. Anya now faced the next ball, and with quick footwork, she lofted it over extra cover for another boundary.

The Warriors were now at 148 for no loss with four balls left in the 19th over. Harish was crumbling under the pressure, and the Warriors could sense that victory was near.

Anya kept up the momentum with another single, bringing Raj back on strike for the final ball of the over. Harish delivered a flatter delivery, but Raj, feeling the exhaustion setting in, couldn't get it past the fielder. They managed just one run.

The equation now stood at 25 runs from the final over. It was a huge ask, but Raj wasn't giving up yet.