Chapter 9: Coach Neel

The shrill sound of the school bell echoed through the corridors of St. Xavier's High School, signaling the start of yet another busy day. Mak, seated near the back of the classroom, absentmindedly twirled his pen between his fingers, his gaze wandering toward the window. Beyond the bustling school grounds, he could just about make out the faint silhouette of the cricket field—a place that held his focus far more than the algebra problems scrawled on the blackboard before him.

It wasn't that he didn't care about his studies. In fact, Mak was a diligent student in most subjects. But there was something about math that always managed to trip him up, no matter how much effort he put in. His mind tended to drift toward cricket—visualizing the perfect batting stance, a well-timed cover drive, or the familiar feel of the gloves as he prepared for a wicket-keeping catch. Today, though, he was trying to pay attention. He really was.

"Mak, could you solve the equation on the board?" Mr. Iyer's voice cut through his thoughts, startling him back to reality. His eyes darted toward the blackboard, where a complex-looking algebra problem stared back at him. His classmates snickered softly, already aware of his well-known struggle with math.

Mak shifted uncomfortably in his seat, scratching his head and staring blankly at the equation. Numbers and letters danced in front of him, mocking his lack of understanding. Before he could muster up an attempt, the sound of a quiet voice reached his ears from the row beside him.

"X equals negative five," Aisha whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

Mak shot her a grateful glance, quickly standing up and repeating the answer aloud. Mr. Iyer raised an eyebrow but nodded, satisfied. "Correct, Mak. Please pay attention next time."

He sighed in relief as the tension in the classroom dissipated. Aisha, who sat beside him, flashed him a knowing smile. She'd always been there to help him out, especially with math. They had been close since their primary school days, and despite their different interests—Mak with cricket, Aisha with her student committee work—their bond remained unshakable.

As the lesson continued, Mak found himself glancing at the clock more frequently. He couldn't help it—his mind was already on the afternoon's practice session. Today was crucial, especially with Coach Neel joining them for the first time. The thought filled him with both excitement and nervous energy. Coach Ranjan had mentioned the importance of this practice, particularly with the upcoming friendly match against Riverdale High next week.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lunch bell rang. Mak quickly packed up his books and turned to Aisha. "Thanks for saving me back there."

Aisha shrugged. "You really need to work on your math, Mak. Sunday's study session is going to be intense."

Mak grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be ready."

As they left the classroom, they were joined by Raghav, who slung an arm around Mak's shoulder with a teasing grin. "Daydreaming about cricket again, huh?"

Mak rolled his eyes. "Not everyone is a genius like you."

Raghav laughed. "You've got your cricket skills man. We all have our talents."

The three of them made their way to the cafeteria, the familiar chatter of students filling the air. As they found a table, Yash and Dhruv, their fellow first-year cricket teammates, joined them.

"Guess who's getting special coaching from Neel today?" Dhruv said with a grin, sitting down beside Yash. "Siddharth's been pacing all morning."

Mak glanced over at the quiet bowler, who was sitting a few tables away, his face a mask of concentration. Siddharth was known for his focus, and it didn't surprise Mak that he'd be feeling the pressure of having a renowned coach like Neel observing him.

"He'll be fine," Yash said confidently. "Siddharth's solid. And Neel's coaching is just what we need before the match next week."

Mak nodded, his thoughts returning to the upcoming friendly. It wasn't a tournament game, but Coach Ranjan had emphasized how important it was to treat it like one. It was their first opportunity as a team to show what they were capable of. Mak felt the weight of his own expectations, not just as a batsman but as a wicket-keeper—especially with Harsh, the substitute wicket-keeper, eyeing his spot.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they ate—school gossip, teachers, and the ever-present banter about cricket. By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, the group was more than ready to wrap up the rest of the school day and get onto the field.

The sun was just beginning its slow descent when the first-year players made their way onto the cricket field. The air was still warm, but a light breeze swept across the ground, offering some relief after the sweltering day. Mak could feel his heart beat a little faster as he stepped onto the familiar turf. The field was more than just a place for practice—it was where he felt most at home.

Coach Ranjan greeted them with his usual stern but encouraging presence. "We've got a lot to cover today, especially with the friendly coming up. I want focus and discipline from all of you. Treat today like it's match day."

The senior players—Sameer, Vikram, and Karan—were already setting the tone, practicing with precision and intensity. Mak admired their skill and experience. They moved with a fluidity that came from years of playing together, and Mak aspired to reach that level of confidence someday.

As the drills began, Mak threw himself into the practice, focusing on his wicket-keeping and batting. He could feel the improvement in his stance and movements, thanks to Coach Ranjan's recent feedback. But it was tough—the heat of the day still lingered, and the drills were relentless.

After about an hour, a ripple of murmurs went through the team. Mak looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered man approaching the field. It was Coach Neel, the much-anticipated bowling coach. His presence alone seemed to command respect, and the intensity of the practice heightened immediately.

"Listen up," Coach Ranjan called out, gathering the team together. "Coach Neel will be focusing on the bowlers today, but that doesn't mean the rest of you get to slack off. Fielding and discipline are non-negotiable. Understood?"

The team nodded in unison, and Mak could feel the tension rise. Neel didn't waste any time, immediately pulling Siddharth and the other bowlers aside to run them through a series of drills. His sharp, observant eyes missed nothing, and he gave quick, precise feedback after each delivery.

Mak watched closely as Siddharth worked through his bowling. There was a raw talent there—Siddharth's deliveries were fast and accurate, but Neel's corrections on his form and follow-through were making an immediate impact. It was clear that under Neel's guidance, Siddharth had the potential to become one of the team's key bowlers.

Neel then turned his attention to the all-rounders, calling over Yash and Dhruv. Mak observed the coaching session from a distance, fascinated by the way Neel broke down each player's technique. Yash's flexibility as both a bowler and batsman gave him a unique edge, and Neel pushed him hard, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stamina and control in both roles.

As practice wrapped up and the team began packing up, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the field. Mak sat on the grass for a moment, catching his breath. His muscles ached from the day's effort, but it was a good kind of ache—the kind that came from pushing himself harder than before.

He looked around at his teammates. Raghav was joking with Yash, while Dhruv and Siddharth quietly discussed their bowling. The seniors, Sameer and Vikram, were talking with Coach Ranjan and Neel, their serious expressions indicating a more strategic conversation.

Mak smiled to himself. This was what he loved about being part of the team—the camaraderie, the shared effort, the sense that they were all working toward something greater than themselves.

As he stood up to leave, Coach Ranjan approached him. "Good work today, Mak. You're improving. Keep it up."

Mak felt a rush of pride at the compliment. "Thanks, Coach. I'll keep working hard."

"That's the spirit. Every practice counts, especially with the friendly coming up. Stay focused," Ranjan replied with a nod before turning to leave.

As the evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, Mak walked home, his mind buzzing with thoughts of cricket, math, and the promise of another study session with Aisha. He couldn't shake off the anticipation for the match ahead—the chance to showcase everything he had worked for.

Leaving the field, he noticed the sky deepening into a rich shade of orange. Gripping his bat tightly, he felt its weight—a constant reminder of the journey he was on. The friendly match was just the beginning, and he knew there were challenges ahead, both on and off the field. Yet, Mak felt ready to face them.

Meanwhile, Coach Ranjan approached Coach Neel, who was standing near the boundary, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes following the players as they left the field.

"So, what do you think?" Ranjan asked, his tone steady but filled with curiosity.

Neel didn't respond immediately. He took a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as if cataloging every player's performance in his mind. "It's a solid squad," he finally said, nodding slowly. "The first-year players have raw talent, and there's promise in that. I like what I've seen so far."

Ranjan smiled faintly, pleased with Neel's initial impression. "Any standouts for you?"

"Mak and Raghav," Neel said without hesitation. "In case of Mak, He's got potential, no doubt. His wicket-keeping shows promise, but there are areas for improvement. He's quick, but his footwork behind the stumps needs more precision—especially when he moves to his right. His balance gets thrown off sometimes, but he's a fast learner. He'll improve."

Ranjan nodded, clearly impressed by how swiftly Neel had assessed Mak's skills. "I've been working with him on that. He's shown progress, but it's good to hear your insight." He paused briefly before asking, "And what do you make of his batting?"

Neel's lips curved into a subtle smile. "His batting is solid. He has a good eye, and he's calm under pressure. That's something you don't see often in young players. But there's always room to sharpen his technique, especially as he faces tougher bowlers in the future."

Ranjan seemed pleased but remained focused. "What about the others?"

Neel leaned against the fence, his eyes briefly scanning the now-empty field before continuing. "Siddharth's a promising bowler, but he's struggling with consistency. He's putting too much pressure on himself to impress, and that's affecting his rhythm. If he can settle his nerves, he'll be a strong asset. Yash, on the other hand, is versatile—an all-rounder who could prove invaluable during tight matches. His determination stands out, but he needs to work on his stamina. It's going to be tough for him to bowl and bat with the same intensity if his endurance isn't up to par."

Ranjan considered Neel's words carefully. "Yash has been working on his fitness, but I agree. He needs to push himself harder."

"What about Dhruv?" Ranjan asked.

"Dhruv is doing well, especially with his batting," Neel replied. "However, he still has a lot of work to do on his bowling if he wants to truly excel as an all-rounder."

"And Raghav?" Ranjan asked, his tone shifting slightly as he referred to the young batsman who had already shown flashes of brilliance.

Neel didn't need to think twice. "Raghav's got good instincts. He reads bowlers well, and his footwork is quick and adaptable. That's a rare skill for someone his age. If he can stay focused, he'll become one of your top batsmen. But..." He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "He's a bit too eager. That eagerness can lead to risky shots, especially in longer matches. He needs to learn patience. It's a delicate balance."

Ranjan nodded slowly, making mental notes of Neel's evaluations. It was refreshing to have another set of eyes on the team, particularly someone like Neel, whose reputation for developing young talent was well-known. Having this feedback so early in the season would be invaluable in helping the boys reach their potential.

"Do you think they're ready for the friendly next week?" Ranjan asked, his voice laced with concern. The upcoming match against Riverdale was important—not for the score, but for assessing the team's readiness.

Neel's expression remained serious, though there was a glimmer of optimism in his tone. "They'll be ready if they push hard over the next few days. The seniors will anchor the team, but the younger ones will need to step up. The skills are there; it's all about confidence now. The match against Riverdale will be a good test. It'll show who can handle the pressure."

Ranjan sighed, his gaze returning to the empty field, the memories of countless seasons past flooding his mind. "I agree. We're not just building a team for this season, but for the future. If they can hold their own now, they'll have a strong foundation to build on."

Neel gave a small nod of approval. "We've got a good team, Ranjan. They're rough around the edges, but with some fine-tuning, they'll surprise a lot of people."

Ranjan chuckled, his eyes narrowing with a quiet determination. "Let's hope so."

As the players left the field and the shadows grew long, a sense of anticipation settled over the coaches. There was much to be done, but the seeds had been planted. The friendly match loomed on the horizon, but beyond that, a season of possibilities awaited. Both coaches knew it wouldn't be an easy journey, but the potential for greatness was there, waiting to be unlocked.

Mak, along with the rest of his team, was about to embark on a path filled with challenges, triumphs, and lessons—both in cricket and in life.