Inter-Squad Exposure Trial

At 6:30 AM, the schedule was announced:

"Trial Match – Squad Aegis vs. Squad Vanta

Format: T20

Location: National Arena, Grid West

Match Visibility: Open – Analysts & Scouts Present

Captains: Unofficial

Leadership Evaluation In Effect."

No coin toss.

No pre-match introductions.

Just a blunt system reminder: Leadership will be judged by visibility, performance, and team alignment — not by voice alone.

Raj read the message once.

Then laced his boots with silent precision.

This wasn't about securing a role anymore.

It was about securing presence — without needing to prove it.

Squad Vanta was infamous.Three flamboyant players who competed for screen time.

An alpha wicketkeeper with a chip on his shoulder.

And their unofficial lead: Veer Bhardwaj — a power-hitter known for breaking bowling lines and locker room decorum.

He thrived on tension.

And Raj?