Chapter 4: Searching for Strength**
The following week passed in a blur of excitement and anxiety for Sonu Kumar. Each day, he woke up before dawn, slipping quietly out of the house so as not to wake his parents. He ran laps around the quiet streets of Sultanganj, the chill of the early morning air pushing him forward as he visualized the academy tryouts. His muscles ached more with each passing day, and his limbs felt heavier than ever, but Sonu welcomed the pain—it meant progress.
When he wasn't running, he was at the new stadium, standing alone in the nets after most of the other boys had left. The few who stayed late, like Arjun, would occasionally glance at him with raised eyebrows, wondering why he was still there. But Sonu didn't care. He had too much at stake to leave early. Each delivery Karan bowled at him in practice was a lesson, and every mistake he made became something to fix. The coach's sharp eyes were on him, and Sonu couldn't afford to slip.
But despite his efforts, there was one problem that continued to gnaw at him: his equipment. The coach's words from the other day echoed in his mind—his bat was outdated, too worn to give him the kind of precision and power he needed. And his shoes, which had been too big when he first got them, were now tearing at the soles from all the wear and tear.
Sonu had no illusions about his family's financial situation. His father was a tailor, scraping together a living from the small shop he ran in the market. His mother helped where she could, selling homemade pickles and papads to supplement their income, but money was always tight. Asking for new cricket gear was out of the question.
Still, Sonu knew that something had to be done. If he wanted a real shot at making it through the tryouts, he couldn't rely on the tattered bat and worn shoes that were holding him back. But where could he get new equipment?
One afternoon, as Sonu was walking home from the stadium, lost in thought, an idea hit him. He remembered the old cricket club near the riverbank—the one that had been shut down a few years ago when most of its members moved away to bigger cities. The building was still there, though abandoned and run-down. Sonu had often passed it on his way to school, but never gave it much thought.
What if there was something left behind in the old club? A bat, maybe even some other equipment that he could use? It was a long shot, but Sonu had nothing to lose.
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The next day, Sonu made his way toward the old cricket club just as the sun was starting to set. The dusty path that led to the riverbank was familiar, and yet somehow foreign. He hadn't come this way in years. The building stood at the edge of the field, its once white walls now a dull grey, covered in patches of moss and dirt. The windows were boarded up, and the old sign that read "Sultanganj Cricket Club" hung loosely, swaying in the evening breeze.
Sonu hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. There wasn't a soul in sight. The town was quiet, the shops beginning to close for the evening. Satisfied that he wouldn't be disturbed, Sonu approached the building.
The door was locked, but it was an old, rusted padlock, one that looked like it hadn't been touched in years. Sonu found a loose brick nearby and, after a few hard taps, managed to break the lock. The door creaked open, revealing a dark, musty interior. Dust hung in the air, and cobwebs draped across the corners of the ceiling. The floor was littered with old papers, broken chairs, and remnants of what had once been a lively club.
Sonu stepped inside, the floorboards creaking under his feet. His eyes adjusted to the dim light, and he began to search. He moved through the small rooms, his heart pounding in his chest. Most of what he found was junk—old scorecards, empty bottles, discarded cricket balls that had long since lost their bounce.
But then, tucked away in a corner of what must have been the equipment room, he found it: a dusty cricket bag. Sonu's breath caught in his throat as he unzipped the bag, revealing a few old bats, some pads, and gloves. They weren't in great condition, but they were better than what he had. The bats, though used, were still solid, and one in particular caught his eye. It was a bit heavier than his current bat, but the wood was strong, and it felt good in his hands. He tested the balance, taking a few practice swings.
This could work.
Sonu quickly gathered the bat, a pair of pads, and a decent pair of gloves from the bag. As he rummaged further, he found a pair of shoes that, miraculously, were just his size. They were scuffed and worn, but the soles were still intact.
His heart raced as he carried his newfound treasures out of the building. He couldn't believe his luck. The abandoned club had given him exactly what he needed—an upgrade, however slight, to his gear. It wasn't brand new, but it was better than what he had. And for now, that was enough.
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The next morning, Sonu arrived at the stadium with renewed energy. He had spent the night cleaning and polishing the bat, scrubbing the shoes, and making sure the pads fit just right. As he walked into the practice area, he felt more confident than he had in days.
Karan was already warming up, and Arjun was chatting with a few of the other boys. Sonu ignored the curious glances they shot him as he strapped on his new (or rather, new-to-him) pads and gloves. Today was going to be different.
When it was his turn to bat, Sonu stepped into the net with the new bat in his hand, feeling its weight settle comfortably in his grip. Karan, ever the competitive bowler, sent down his first delivery—a fast one aimed straight at the stumps.
Sonu moved quickly, his feet light, and drove the ball straight down the ground. The satisfying crack of bat meeting ball echoed through the stadium. He smiled to himself as the ball shot off toward the boundary, well out of reach of any fielder.
"Nice shot!" someone shouted from behind him, and Sonu glanced back to see Arjun giving him an approving nod.
Over the next few deliveries, Sonu's confidence only grew. He played his shots with more precision, adjusting his stance and timing with every ball. The new bat, though heavier than his old one, gave him more power, and the shoes made a world of difference in his footwork.
The coach watched from the sidelines, nodding slightly as Sonu's performance improved. There was still much to work on—his timing needed refining, and his footwork wasn't perfect—but the progress was undeniable.
After the practice session, as Sonu was packing up his gear, the coach approached him.
"You've improved, Sonu," he said gruffly. "That new bat suits you. Keep this up, and you might just have a shot at those tryouts."
Sonu beamed. "Thank you, sir."
The coach nodded but didn't smile. "Don't get too comfortable. Talent is only part of the game. Hard work is the rest. You've got potential, but potential means nothing if you don't put in the hours."
"I will, sir," Sonu promised. "I won't let you down."
The coach gave him one last nod before turning to leave. As Sonu watched him walk away, he felt a surge of pride. For the first time since he had started this journey, he felt like he was on the right path. The gear he had found wasn't perfect, but it was enough to give him a fighting chance. Now, all he needed to do was work harder than ever before.
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That night, as Sonu lay in bed, he felt a new sense of purpose settle over him. The tryouts were just a few weeks away, and he was more determined than ever to make the most of the opportunity. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, Sonu believed that he could do it—that he could stand shoulder to shoulder with boys like Arjun and Karan, and carve out a place for himself in the world of cricket.
With his eyes on the ceiling and his mind racing with thoughts of the future, Sonu made a promise to himself: he would do whatever it took to succeed. No matter how hard it got, no matter the obstacles, he would keep pushing forward.
Because this wasn't just about cricket anymore. It was about proving to himself, to his family, and to the town of Sultanganj that dreams were worth fighting for.
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**End of Chapter 4**
This chapter sees Sonu taking initiative to upgrade his equipment and push himself further in his journey toward the academy tryouts. His resourcefulness in finding gear and his hard work on the field begin to pay off, setting the stage for the challenges ahead.