[Rising Strikers Ground – Match Day]
The sun cast sharp shadows over the Mahabubabad cricket ground. Sweat glistened on foreheads, boots thudded against turf, and the scent of red soil mixed with ambition. Today wasn't just another practice session — it was trial day.
Pavan Raj stood near the nets, bat in hand, watching the club players get divided into two trial squads. He had only been here a few days, but the buzz around him was growing.
[System Notification]
Event: Club Trial Match Begins
Objectives: Score runs under pressure | Display fielding excellence
Bonus: Impress Coach Aditya and earn Crowd Fan Points
Hidden Progress: ???
Coach Aditya walked onto the field and blew his whistle. "You've all been given spots in either Team White or Team Red. Perform, or pack up."
Pavan was placed in Team Red. Siddharth, unsurprisingly, was leading Team White.
[Toss – Team Red Batting First]
"Open for us," said Sai Kishore, the vice-captain of Team Red. "Let's see what you've got, Pavan."
He nodded silently and walked to the crease.
The bowler from Team White — a tall lad named Imran Sayeed — stared him down. "Let's see if village boys can survive real pace."
Pavan didn't reply. He took guard and locked eyes with the bowler.
[System Buff Activated: Zone Focus (Batting)]
Time slows. Precision +7%. Nerves suppressed.
First Ball: A short-pitched delivery angled toward the ribs. Pavan shuffled back and pulled — flat, hard, four.
Second Ball: Full and straight — textbook cover drive. Four again.
By the time he reached 18 runs off 7 balls, murmurs spread across the sidelines.
"Who is this guy?"
"Did you see that timing?"
Coach Aditya, arms folded, smirked. "Interesting…"
[8th Over – Mid-Innings Twist]
Pavan's partner edged one and got caught behind. New batsman: Varun — young, energetic, but nervous.
"Stay calm," Pavan told him at the non-striker's end. "Just rotate strike."
But on the very next ball, a miscommunication — Varun called for a quick single, then froze.
The fielder threw fast — a direct hit coming.
Pavan sprinted.
He dove.
Dust flew. The crowd gasped.
Not out.
[System Alert: Field Awareness Boost | Reflex Mastery +1]
Crowd Engagement: +9
Even Sujatha, watching quietly from a shaded bench, let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
He got up, dusted himself off, and pointed to Varun.
"No more confusion. Stay sharp."
[End of Innings – Pavan Scores 47 (25 balls)]
He missed his half-century by inches, caught at deep square leg.
But the applause was real. Even some Team White players clapped — though Siddharth didn't.
"That swing… those eyes," Siddharth muttered under his breath. "Something's off."
[System Notification]
Fanbase +13 (Total: 19)
Club Teammate Affection: Varun +2 | Sai Kishore +1
Sujatha's Impression: +2
[Second Innings – Team White Batting]
Team Red now took the field. Pavan was placed at deep point. No complaints — he preferred it.
In the 4th over, Siddharth mistimed a lofted shot. The ball flew toward the boundary.
Most fielders would let it bounce.
But Pavan sprinted.
He dove — right arm outstretched.
Caught. One-handed. Clean.
The crowd erupted.
"Was that even human?" someone shouted.
Even Coach Aditya stood up.
[System Notification]
Fielding Milestone: Acrobatic Catch Registered
Reward: +10 Fan Points | Hidden Stat: Reputation (Local) Unlocked
Siddharth stood at the crease, stunned.
Dismissed. Outshined. And for the first time, threatened.
[Post-Match – Outside the Pavilion]
Coach Aditya addressed the group.
"Most of you played safe. A few stood out. And one... surprised me."
He looked directly at Pavan.
"You're in."
*[System Task Complete: Club Trial Passed]
New Title Unlocked: Rising Flame (Hidden)
Next Task: Get Featured in Local Cricket Blog | Fanbase Goal: 100
As the players began dispersing, Sujatha walked over with a slight smile.
"You enjoy diving around that much?"
Pavan grinned. "Only when people are watching."
She laughed softly, then walked away again.
He watched her leave, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Keep rising," he thought. "But don't let them see your full fire yet."
End of Chapter 5