Chapter 10 : First Match

The day of the tournament had finally arrived. The crisp morning air carried the scent of freshly cut grass as the Karnataka U-16 team settled into the dugout. The atmosphere wasn't electric like an international match, but there was a quiet intensity in the air. The stands had a scattering of parents, coaches, and a few cricket enthusiasts who had come to watch the young talents showcase their skills.

The players adjusted their pads and gloves, some stretching their arms, others taking deep breaths, mentally preparing for the match ahead. Aryan, the captain, stood near the boundary rope, keeping a watchful eye on the pitch while waiting for the toss. Advay sat calmly, his bat resting against his leg, listening to the low murmur of conversations around him.

Through the small speaker system, the commentator's voice echoed across the ground, explaining the format of the tournament:

"This year's U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy will follow a league format featuring twelve teams. Each team will play five matches in the league stage, with the top four teams qualifying for the semifinals. The tournament will be played in a 50-over format, challenging the young players not just in skill but also in endurance and strategy."

The Karnataka team had been grouped with strong competitors, and every match would be a battle. The coach, standing nearby, clapped his hands together to get their attention.

"Remember, boys," he said, his voice firm but encouraging. "We take this one match at a time. Play your natural game, stick to the basics, and most importantly, enjoy the game. Trust each other and back yourselves."

The players nodded, determination in their eyes. They knew that this wasn't just about a single match—it was about proving themselves throughout the tournament.

Cooch Behar U-16 League Table

Rank

Team

Matches Played

Wins

Losses

Points

Net Run Rate

Karnataka

0.00

Mumbai

0.00

Delhi

0.00

Tamil Nadu

0.00

Punjab

0.00

Bengal

0.00

Hyderabad

0.00

Rajasthan

0.00

Uttar Pradesh

0.00

Gujarat

0.00

Madhya Pradesh

0.00

Jharkhand

0.00

As the coin was tossed in the air, the Karnataka team watched intently, waiting for the outcome. Advay gripped his bat tighter. His journey in competitive cricket was finally beginning.

As the umpire walked back after the toss, the team's captain gathered everyone in a huddle. The news was already clear—Karnataka had won the toss and chosen to bowl first. The players circled around, some stretching, others adjusting their caps, but all of them focused as they waited for their captain to speak.

"Alright, boys, we're bowling first," he announced, his voice steady and firm. "This is exactly what we wanted. We've trained for this, and we know our strengths. Let's make them work for every single run."

His gaze swept across the team, taking in their focused expressions. "First things first—discipline. Keep your line and length tight. No loose deliveries. We don't need magic balls every over; pressure will get us wickets. Stick to the plan, bowl in the right areas, and let them make the mistakes."

He shifted slightly, his voice unwavering. "Fielding. We don't drop our intensity. No sloppy misfields, no lazy throws. Every run saved here is a run we won't have to chase later. Stay alert, stay sharp, and back each other up."

Then, his tone turned just a little firmer. "Middle overs—we strangle them. Dot balls build pressure. Pressure gets wickets. No freebies, no easy singles. If they want runs, make them take risks."

He paused for a moment, letting his words settle. "And most importantly—stay calm. Play our game. We've done this a hundred times in practice, now we just do it here. Trust yourselves, trust the team."

He took a deep breath and clapped his hands. "Let's show them what we're made of."

A collective "Let's go!" echoed through the huddle as the players dispersed to take their positions on the field. The bowler marked his run-up, the keeper adjusted his gloves, and the fielders crouched in anticipation. The match was about to begin.

As the sun cast long shadows over the field, the air buzzed with anticipation. The young cricketers took their places, some stretching their arms, others adjusting their caps. The soft chatter of the spectators in the stands mixed with the occasional shout of encouragement from coaches and teammates.

The commentator's voice crackled to life over the microphone, commanding attention.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the opening match of the U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy! We are set for an exciting contest between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, two teams known for their competitive spirit. The conditions here are absolutely ideal for cricket—a clear sky, a well-prepared pitch, and a gentle breeze across the ground."

A few claps and cheers erupted as the players gathered near the pitch for the toss. The two captains stood beside the umpire, eyes focused on the coin as it flipped into the air. It landed, and Karnataka's captain, Aryan, smiled as he turned to the umpire.

"And there we have it! Karnataka has won the toss, and they have elected to bowl first," the commentator announced. "A decision that suggests they are looking to make use of any early movement in the pitch, especially with the morning conditions offering a hint of moisture."

The Karnataka players huddled together for a quick team talk before taking the field. Aryan, calm and composed as always, spoke with quiet confidence. His words were not just instructions but a reminder of their strategy, their strengths, and the need to keep their focus sharp.

As the team dispersed, the fielders took their positions while the opening batsmen from Tamil Nadu strode out to the middle. One of them adjusted his gloves, tapping his bat against the ground, while the other took a long look at the field setting.

The umpire signaled for the game to begin, and the bowler marked his run-up. The crowd, though modest in number, was engaged, with murmurs of anticipation filling the air. Parents, coaches, and a few scouts watched keenly, some leaning forward in their seats.

"The players are in position. The field is set. The opening bowler charges in… and here comes the first ball of the U-16 Cooch Behar Trophy!"

With that, the match was officially underway.

As the fielders settled into their positions, Aryan took the ball and walked over to Advay, handing it to him with a nod.

"You take the first over," Aryan said calmly. "Set the tone."

Advay nodded, gripping the ball firmly as he walked back to his run-up. His emerald green eyes locked onto the batsman, his mind calculating the delivery. The batsman, a right-hander, tapped his bat against the pitch, waiting.

The umpire signaled the start, and Advay charged in. His run-up was smooth, his strides measured. As he neared the crease, his wrist snapped at the perfect moment, sending the red cherry swinging in sharply.

The batsman misjudged it completely. Expecting it to hold its line, he played down the wrong path, only to see the ball curve in viciously and crash into the stumps. The bails flew off as the stumps shook.

"Bowled him!" The commentator's voice rang through the ground. "What a delivery! That is an absolute peach from Advay!"

The fielders rushed towards him, patting his back, while Aryan simply gave him an approving nod. The batsman trudged back, shaking his head in disbelief. Tamil Nadu was 0 for 1 after the very first ball.

Advay continued his over with controlled aggression, maintaining tight lines. The new batsman took a cautious approach, playing out the remaining five deliveries without taking any risks. His first over went for just a single run, an impressive start.

The first 10 overs saw Karnataka's bowlers dominate. Advay bowled another three-over spell, keeping things tight, while the other seamers maintained the pressure. The Tamil Nadu openers struggled to find gaps, and runs were hard to come by. By the 10th over, they had managed only 32 runs, losing two wickets in the process.

As the match progressed into the next phase, Aryan introduced a spinner from one end while keeping a pacer on from the other. Tamil Nadu's batsmen, having soaked up the pressure early on, started to rotate the strike more effectively. A few well-placed boundaries helped them regain some momentum.

By the 15th over, the scoreboard read 65 for 3. The Karnataka bowlers, however, were disciplined, not allowing easy runs. Advay was brought back for another spell in the 17th over.

This time, the batsmen were more aggressive, looking to take him on. A couple of well-timed flicks through midwicket earned Tamil Nadu some runs, but Advay adjusted quickly. He pulled his length back slightly, forcing the batsmen onto the back foot. His final delivery of the over was a well-disguised slower ball, deceiving the batter completely and drawing a mistimed lofted shot that fell safely into the hands of the fielder at mid-off.

By the end of the 20th over, Tamil Nadu had reached 95 for 4. The match was well-balanced, with Karnataka keeping the pressure on while the Tamil Nadu middle order tried to stabilize the innings.

As the game progressed into the second phase, Karnataka's bowlers continued to maintain a strong grip on the match. Tamil Nadu, having lost early wickets, was still struggling to build a stable partnership. With 20 overs gone, their scoreboard read 90 for 3. They needed a steadying hand, and their vice-captain, Karthik, alongside the aggressive middle-order batsman Ramesh, was their best bet to resurrect the innings.

Aryan, the Karnataka captain, took a moment to assess his bowling options before tossing the ball to Rahul, their tall off-spinner.

"Rahul has been one of Karnataka's go-to spinners in this tournament," the commentator noted. "Tall, with a good arm ball and the ability to get extra bounce, he could be the key to breaking this partnership."

Rahul started his spell with a few tight deliveries, not giving the batters any room to free their arms. Ramesh, known for his attacking play, was looking a bit restless. Then, in the 23rd over, Rahul flighted one just outside off, inviting the big shot. Ramesh couldn't resist. He stepped out, looking to go over the covers, but the ball dipped late and spun away slightly, taking the edge. The keeper collected it cleanly.

"Got him!" the commentator shouted. "Smart bowling from Rahul! He tempted Ramesh, and the batter fell right into the trap!"

The Karnataka players erupted in celebration. Tamil Nadu had lost a crucial wicket, and now, at 105 for 4, their situation was becoming precarious.

With the momentum shifting, Aryan turned to Vishal, their left-arm seamer, to keep the pressure on. Vishal had been one of their more consistent bowlers throughout the league stage, using his natural angle to trouble right-handers. He immediately found his rhythm, keeping a tight off-stump line. But Karthik, Tamil Nadu's vice-captain, was up for the challenge.

In the 28th over, Vishal offered just a bit of width outside off, and Karthik latched onto it. He rocked back and cracked a fierce cut shot through point.

"That's a beautiful shot!" the commentator exclaimed. "Karthik pounces on the width, and it races away to the boundary!"

Tamil Nadu needed more of that, and Karthik seemed to sense it. Two overs later, with the team still trying to recover, he took on Arjun, a right-arm medium pacer who had been brought into the attack. Arjun bowled a good-length delivery angling into the batter, but Karthik picked it early. He shifted his weight back and launched it over deep midwicket.

"Oh, that's massive!" the commentator's voice rose. "Karthik goes big, and it sails into the stands! That's a much-needed six for Tamil Nadu!"

The momentum was starting to shift. Karthik, with his controlled aggression, was leading the fightback. By the 35-over mark, Tamil Nadu had reached 160 for 5. The innings, once in disarray, was beginning to stabilize. But Karnataka was still in control.

Aryan, sensing the importance of another breakthrough, made a tactical bowling change, bringing back one of his frontline pacers. The field was adjusted slightly, with an extra fielder positioned at deep square leg.

The move paid off almost instantly. The pacer, who had been bowling with good pace and control, delivered a perfect yorker in the 37th over. The ball tailed in late and crashed into the base of middle stump, sending the bails flying.

"Absolute beauty!" the commentator exclaimed. "That is a dream delivery for any fast bowler! Right at the base of the stumps, and Tamil Nadu loses their set batter!"

Karthik, who had been anchoring the innings, was walking back in disappointment. His departure put Tamil Nadu under serious pressure again.

With just ten overs to go, Tamil Nadu had reached 175 for 7. Their tailenders would have to scramble for every possible run to post a competitive total, but Karnataka had their sights set on finishing strong.

As the final phase of the innings unfolded, Karnataka tightened their stranglehold on Tamil Nadu, ensuring they couldn't run away with a massive total. Aryan, the captain, took charge of the field placements, directing his bowlers and fielders with a calm but firm authority. With each over, Karnataka's energy on the field intensified.

After a short breather, Advay was reintroduced into the attack, handed the ball to apply pressure in the death overs. He adjusted his field, ensuring a tight ring on the off-side, and then ran in with his usual smooth approach.

Commentator 1: "And here comes Advay Rai once again, back for his final spell. He's been disciplined so far, conceding very little and keeping things under control."

Commentator 2: "With Tamil Nadu looking to accelerate, this is a crucial over. A wicket here could be a game-changer!"

First ball of his comeback over, he hurled a perfect yorker at middle stump, forcing the batter to dig it out hurriedly. The ball trickled to the short cover, and they managed just a single.

Next delivery, he varied his length, dropping it slightly short. The batter tried to pull but was cramped for room, getting only an inside edge onto his pad.

Commentator 1: "Advay is keeping it tight here, not giving the Tamil Nadu batters any room to free their arms."

On the fourth ball of the over, he went full and straight again, but this time, with a bit more venom. The batter shuffled across, attempting to flick it through midwicket, but the ball jagged back sharply. It beat the bat and clattered into the middle stump!

Commentator 2: "BOWLED HIM! What a delivery from Advay Rai! Absolute peach! That's exactly what Karnataka needed at this stage!"

As the stumps went flying, Advay didn't over-celebrate. He simply turned back, walking to his mark, his teammates gathering around him in excitement.

Tamil Nadu, though, wasn't ready to fold. Their lower-order batter, a powerful hitter, took on Vishal, Karnataka's left-arm seamer, in the next over. First ball—Vishal went for a yorker but missed his length, ending up with a full toss. The batter seized the opportunity, bringing his bat down hard and sending the ball soaring over long-on for a six.

Commentator 1: "Oh, that's a massive hit! Got the full toss he wanted, and he's dispatched it into the stands!"

Vishal adjusted his grip and came steaming in again. This time, he bowled a tight off-stump line. The batter attempted to guide it through third man, but the ball skidded low. The inside edge clattered into the stumps!

Commentator 2: "GONE! What a response from Vishal! That's the perfect way to answer back after being hit for six!"

Tamil Nadu tried to keep the momentum, but the wickets continued to fall. A short and sharp delivery from Vishal got the next batter hurried into a pull shot, which flew straight into the hands of deep square leg.

Commentator 1: "Straight to the fielder! Another one bites the dust, and Karnataka is right on top!"

Despite the setbacks, the Tamil Nadu lower order managed a few lusty blows. A well-executed cover drive pierced the infield for four, and a powerful pull off a slower delivery cleared the midwicket boundary.

As the innings wound down, Advay finished his spell with a fiery final over, ensuring Tamil Nadu couldn't cut loose in the last few balls. When their 50 overs were finally up, Tamil Nadu had posted a strong but not unassailable total.

Commentator 2: "That's it! Tamil Nadu finishes with a respectable total. The question now is—can Karnataka chase this down?"

Karnataka's players regrouped as they walked off the field, their focus now shifting to the chase. The match was perfectly poised, and the second innings was set to be a thrilling contest.

Commentator 1: "And here we go! Karnataka's chase is about to begin. Walking out to the middle, we have captain Aryan, alongside Rahul. These two have been in good form, and they'll be looking to lay a strong foundation for this chase."

Commentator 2: "Absolutely, a steady start is key. Tamil Nadu's bowlers will be fired up after putting a competitive total on the board. Let's see how Karnataka approaches this."

The first ball of the innings was on a length outside off, swinging away slightly. Aryan judged it well and let it go to the keeper. The next ball, however, Rahul latched onto a short and wide delivery, slashing it through point for a boundary.

Commentator 1: "Cracked away! Rahul wastes no time getting off the mark!"

Commentator 2: "Short, wide, and punished! That's a positive start from Karnataka."

Rahul looked aggressive from the beginning, taking on anything short, while Aryan played the anchor role, working the ball into gaps and keeping the strike rotating. In the fifth over, Aryan drove a full delivery exquisitely through extra cover for four.

Commentator 1: "Oh, that's a shot of pure class! Aryan just leaned into it and timed it beautifully."

Commentator 2: "The hallmark of a captain—calm and composed. He's not looking to rush, just picking his moments."

Tamil Nadu's bowlers tried to tighten up, but Rahul was in full flow. In the ninth over, he stepped down the track and lofted a flighted delivery over mid-on for another boundary.

Commentator 1: "And there it goes! Rahul isn't holding back here!"

Commentator 2: "That's the intent Karnataka wants. They're off to a solid start."

The duo took Karnataka past 70 in the 14th over, looking well set for a big partnership. But then, disaster struck. Tamil Nadu introduced their pace spearhead, and Rahul, trying to pull a short ball, mistimed it straight to deep square leg.

Commentator 1: "Oh, he's picked out the fielder! Tamil Nadu finally gets the breakthrough!"

Commentator 2: "Rahul was looking so good, but the short ball gets him. A crucial wicket for Tamil Nadu."

Commentator 1: "And with that, Karnataka is 74 for 1 in the 14th over."

With one down, Vishal walked in at number three. He looked uneasy from the start, struggling against the disciplined Tamil Nadu attack. After a few scratchy runs, he attempted a big shot but failed to get the elevation, chipping it straight to mid-off.

Commentator 1: "Gone! Another one bites the dust!"

Commentator 2: "Tamil Nadu is clawing their way back into this match. Karnataka loses two in quick succession!"

Commentator 1: "The scoreboard now reads 81 for 2 in the 16th over."

As the crowd murmured in anticipation, a new figure walked out to the middle—Advay. His emerald-green eyes calmly scanned the field as he adjusted his gloves. His walk was measured, unhurried, radiating confidence.

Commentator 1: "And here comes Karnataka's young sensation—Advay! Walking in at one-down, he has a big responsibility on his shoulders now."

Commentator 2: "We haven't seen much of him in tournament cricket yet, but there's definitely a buzz around this young man. Let's see what he's got."

Advay took his stance, tapping his bat lightly on the pitch, his body language completely at ease. The fielders around the bat tensed up, sensing an opportunity. The Tamil Nadu bowler charged in, ready to test the young batter.

The chase was still in Karnataka's hands, but now, all eyes were on Advay. Would he hold the innings together or would Tamil Nadu continue their fightback?

Chapter 10

Through the small speaker system, the commentator's voice echoed across the ground, explaining the format of the tournament:

The Karnataka team had been grouped with strong competitors, and every match would be a battle. The coach, standing nearby, clapped his hands together to get their attention.

The players nodded, determination in their eyes. They knew that this wasn't just about a single match—it was about proving themselves throughout the tournament.

Cooch Behar U-16 League Table

Rank Team Matches Played Wins Losses Points Net Run Rate

1 Karnataka 0 0 0 0 0.00

2 Mumbai 0 0 0 0 0.00

3 Delhi 0 0 0 0 0.00

4 Tamil Nadu 0 0 0 0 0.00

5 Punjab 0 0 0 0 0.00

6 Bengal 0 0 0 0 0.00

7 Hyderabad 0 0 0 0 0.00

8 Rajasthan 0 0 0 0 0.00

9 Uttar Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0.00

10 Gujarat 0 0 0 0 0.00

11 Madhya Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0.00

12 Jharkhand 0 0 0 0 0.00