The Warriors returned to the field, ready to begin their chase of 173 runs against the Silver Knights. Raj strapped on his pads and gloves, mentally preparing for the task ahead. He and Anya were opening the batting, a partnership that had been solid throughout the tournament. But this was different—the pressure was higher, and the Knights' bowlers were renowned for their aggressive style.
Coach Kumar gave them a final pep talk as they stood at the edge of the boundary. "Stay calm and play your game. This target is well within our reach, but don't take unnecessary risks early on. Build your innings, and the runs will come."
Raj nodded, feeling the weight of the bat in his hand. Ever since his conversation with it the previous night, he couldn't stop thinking about the mysteries surrounding its powers. But now wasn't the time for distractions—he needed to focus on the match.
The Knights' opening bowler, a tall, menacing fast bowler named Vikram, stood at the top of his run-up. Raj faced the first delivery, planting his feet firmly at the crease. Vikram steamed in, his long strides eating up the distance quickly. The ball was pitched short and angled into Raj's body—a classic intimidation tactic to unsettle him right from the start.
Raj reacted instinctively, pulling the ball with a clean, powerful stroke. The bat seemed to hum in his hands as the ball raced to the boundary, narrowly evading the fielder at deep square leg. The Warriors' fans erupted in cheers as Raj got off the mark with a four.
The scoreboard now read: Warriors: 4/0 in 1 ball.
Anya grinned at Raj from the non-striker's end. "Nice start! Keep going."
Raj smiled back but kept his focus on the task ahead. The next few deliveries were tighter, and he picked up two singles, rotating the strike with Anya.
By the end of the second over, the Warriors were at 12 for no loss, with Raj on 6 off 5 balls and Anya on 3 off 4 balls. They had made a steady start, but they both knew the Knights' bowlers would come at them hard.
Vikram returned for his second over, visibly frustrated at not having taken a wicket yet. His next ball to Raj was full and fast, aimed at middle stump. Raj, feeling the surge of energy from the bat, stepped forward and drove it straight back past the bowler. The ball shot off the bat's face like a bullet, and once again, it found the boundary.
Raj could feel the bat's power resonating with each stroke. The level-up system hummed quietly in the background, displaying his current stats:
- Batting Precision: 10/10
- Bowling Speed: 5/10
- Fielding Agility: 4/10
But something new appeared—a faint notification in the corner of his mind: New ability unlocked: Focus Vision.
Raj blinked, unsure of what it meant. Before he could fully comprehend it, Vikram was already charging in for the next delivery. This time, as Raj took guard, everything around him seemed to sharpen. The ball, the fielders, even Vikram's movements became crystal clear, as if time had slowed down slightly.
It was the new ability—Focus Vision.
Vikram bowled a full, outswinging delivery, but Raj could see it all. He anticipated the swing, adjusted his position slightly, and drove the ball through the covers for another four. The crowd roared once again as the Warriors' total climbed to 24 for no loss in 3 overs.
Anya, now facing the next over, smiled at Raj as they crossed. "You're on fire today. What's gotten into you?"
Raj shrugged, not wanting to reveal the truth about the bat just yet. "Just feeling good, I guess."
Anya faced the next few balls, scoring steadily with a couple of singles and a beautifully timed boundary through mid-wicket. By the end of the fifth over, the Warriors had moved to 38 for no loss, keeping up with the required run rate.
But Raj knew they couldn't afford to get complacent. The Knights had some dangerous bowlers, and Vikram wasn't the only one capable of turning the game. Their spinner, Harish, was brought into the attack in the 6th over, and Raj braced himself for a new challenge.
Harish was known for his sharp turn and clever variations, and his first ball to Raj was a perfect example. It was a well-flighted delivery that drifted in towards leg stump before spinning sharply away. Raj, using his newfound Focus Vision, picked up the spin early and adjusted his shot, playing a delicate late cut that sent the ball racing to the boundary between point and third man.
The bat's power felt more intense with each shot. Raj was playing with a clarity he had never experienced before. Every ball seemed to slow down just enough for him to read it perfectly, and his shots were crisp, finding gaps with ease.
By the end of the 10th over, the Warriors had reached 70 for no loss, with Raj on 34 off 25 balls and Anya on 26 off 22 balls. They were well on track, but Raj knew the game wasn't over yet. The Knights were a formidable team, and one mistake could shift the momentum.
As the drinks break approached, Coach Kumar signaled to the two openers, reminding them to stay focused and keep pushing. The required run rate was under control, but the middle overs were often where teams lost their way.
Raj took a moment to catch his breath. The bat had been working its magic, but he was beginning to sense something more. The longer he held it, the more connected he felt to the game, as if the bat was showing him the path forward. The level-up system displayed another notification:
Focus Vision Level 1 complete. Next upgrade available: Precision Strike.
Raj's heart raced. Another ability? The bat was evolving with him, but he wasn't sure what this new power would bring.
He didn't have time to think too much about it, though. The Knights' captain made a tactical change, bringing back Vikram for a quick burst of pace. The pressure was on again.
Vikram's first ball was a fiery short-pitched delivery aimed at Raj's ribs. Raj swiveled and pulled, sending the ball toward the boundary. But a fielder at deep square leg was in position, cutting off the four and limiting Raj to a single.
Anya faced the next ball, and she showed her class by flicking a full delivery through mid-wicket for another four. The partnership was growing, and the Warriors were getting closer to the target.
As the match progressed, the Warriors maintained their momentum, reaching 110 for no loss by the 15th over. Raj was now on 52 off 41 balls, having brought up his half-century with another well-timed boundary. Anya was just shy of her own fifty, playing a steady hand as well.
The game was now firmly in the Warriors' control. But Raj could feel something shifting—the bat's energy seemed to hum louder, the power within it growing as they approached the final overs. The level-up system appeared again, this time flashing a warning.
Warning: Overuse of abilities may result in fatigue.
Raj's grip tightened on the handle. He had been relying heavily on the bat's powers, but now it seemed there were consequences. The bat's voice whispered in his mind, reminding him to stay balanced.
"Don't push too hard," it said. "Your strength comes from within, not just from the bat."
Raj nodded slightly, refocusing. He knew the bat was right—he couldn't rely solely on its abilities. He had to find a balance between the magic and his own skills.
The Warriors needed only 63 more runs from the final 10 overs. The victory was in sight, but Raj knew the final stretch would be the toughest. The Knights wouldn't give up easily, and he had to be ready for anything.