Mak and the others reached the cricket field, ready for their first full practice session as the official squad of St. Xavier's. The atmosphere buzzed with a mix of excitement and tension. Coach Ranjan stood near the nets, a whistle around his neck and a clipboard in hand, assessing the team's readiness. Beside him stood an unfamiliar middle-aged man.
Mak stood beside Raghav, Yash, and Dhruv. His mind raced with the responsibility of proving himself worthy of the team's trust, but he also felt a sense of unity with his fellow first-years. The senior players were already deep in conversation with one another, showing an unspoken bond that came with years of playing together. He couldn't help but admire their ease.
"Attention, everyone!" Coach Ranjan called out, his voice booming across the field.
"Before we begin, some of you are probably wondering why there wasn't a bowling coach present during the trials," Coach Ranjan said, addressing the team. "Coach Neel, our bowling coach, was away last week for a personal emergency. He's back now, and you'll be working closely with him in the coming days."
Mak noticed the reaction among some of the older players. Aarav, Vikram, and Sameer exchanged knowing glances, as if they were familiar with the coach's reputation.
Sameer spoke up, "It's good to have Coach Neel back. He has a way of pushing the bowlers to their limits. He's strict, but you learn quickly under him." There was a slight grin on his face, the kind that suggested both respect and a history of tough training sessions.
Vikram chimed in, "Last year, he helped Ishan refine his yorkers. By the end of the season, no one wanted to face him in the nets." Ishan, the quiet third-year bowler, nodded in agreement, clearly recalling those sessions.
It became clear to Mak that Coach Neel was a respected figure among the older players. His absence during the trials hadn't gone unnoticed, and it seemed the bowlers, especially, were eager to work under his specialized guidance again.
"And one more thing," Coach Ranjan continued, "meet Mr. Saxena, our team manager. He'll handle all the logistics, tournament details, and team coordination." A tall, stern-looking man in his late forties gave a brief nod as Coach Ranjan introduced him.
Mak noticed Nikhil and Karan nodding as if they were already well aware of Mr. Saxena's role. "Mr. Saxena has been with the team for a while now," Karan whispered to Dhruv, who was standing beside him. "He's the one who keeps everything running smoothly. Last year, when we almost missed our practice slots due to a scheduling mix-up, he sorted it all out."
"Yeah," Nikhil added, "he doesn't say much, but when he does, you listen. He's been handling team management since I joined, and he knows exactly how to make sure we're all set for the tournament."
The respect the older players had for both Coach Neel and Mr. Saxena was evident. It gave Mak a sense of reassurance—these weren't just coaches and managers but people who had been instrumental in shaping the team's success in previous seasons.
"Right then," Coach Ranjan clapped his hands, bringing the focus back to practice. "Let's get to work. Sameer, Karan, and Vikram will take charge of your respective groups for now." He then splits the team into smaller groups.
He quickly glanced at his watch, almost as if waiting for someone. His eyes then shifted back to the group of players.
Mak and his fellow batsmen moved to the nets. Today's focus for Mak was batting—the part of the game that consumed him the most. There was something about being at the crease that brought out the best in him. The way he could control a game with his bat, whether through power or precision, was what he loved the most.
Raghav batted first, showing off his aggressive style, which drew nods of approval from Vikram, who stood nearby, observing. When it was Mak's turn, he stepped up with quiet confidence. His grip on the bat was firm yet relaxed, and his mind was focused.
The first delivery from the bowling machine came fast, and Mak executed a perfect straight drive, the ball flying cleanly past the imaginary fielders.
"Good shot!" Raghav called out from behind the nets.
Mak continued, adjusting his stance after each shot and making sure to correct any slight imperfections. Every ball was an opportunity, and every stroke had to be deliberate. It wasn't long before Coach Ranjan walked over, giving him feedback.
"You've got great timing, Mak, but keep your balance through the shot. Don't overextend," the coach instructed. Mak took the advice to heart, making subtle adjustments.
As Mak worked on his shots, he overheard Dhruv and Siddharth, both first-years, talking about Coach Neel's arrival. "I've heard he's tough," Dhruv said. "But they say he's one of the best at training pacers."
Siddharth nodded. "I can't wait to see what he's got planned for us. Coach Ranjan's great, but having a specialist for bowling will help a lot."
Mak smiled to himself, pleased with how the team had a clear structure with dedicated coaches for each skill. The team was well-rounded, and having Coach Neel focus on the bowlers would only sharpen their attack.
Meanwhile, Yash, the all-rounder, walked over to Mak during a brief break. "Nice shots out there," Yash complimented. "You will be making it tough for the bowlers."
Mak grinned. "Thanks. Still got a lot to work on, though. What about you? You've been all over the field today."
Yash nodded. "I've been trying to refine my technique. Batting and bowling require so much focus. That's why having someone like Coach Neel will be good for us. He'll help us all-rounders balance the two."
They both knew that training under specialists like Coach Ranjan and Coach Neel would push them further in their development.
The fielding drills were next, and as a wicket-keeper, Mak was fully engaged. The pace was relentless as Harsh, the substitute wicket-keeper, joined him in the drills. Even though there was competition between them for the same spot, the mutual respect they shared made their partnership work.
"You're quick today," Harsh said, catching a ball and throwing it back.
"I have to be," Mak replied, diving for a low catch. "We both do."
By the end of the fielding drills, Mak's body was sore, but the satisfaction of the day's practice filled him with renewed energy.
Coach Ranjan then called everyone into a huddle once again. "Great work today, everyone. We've got a lot to improve on, but you're all showing promise. Remember, practice is about building the foundation for match days. Consistency here translates to results on the field."
Coach Ranjan glanced toward Mr. Saxena and then continued, "Speaking of match days, we have a friendly match scheduled for next week against Riverdale High."
The team buzzed with excitement at the mention of a match. "This will be our chance to test our strategies and skills under real match conditions. Treat it like the actual tournament. We'll finalize the playing XI by the end of this week."
Mak could feel the energy shift as the reality of the match set in. It was a crucial moment for everyone—especially the first-years—to prove their worth in a real game. His mind immediately went into overdrive, thinking about the preparations he needed to make, especially with his batting. He knew this friendly match would set the tone for the rest of the season.
"Coach Neel will be joining us tomorrow for specialized bowling practice, and we'll work on match simulations with both the batsmen and bowlers," Coach Ranjan added. "So be prepared."
The players started to break away from the huddle, and as they walked back to the locker room, Mak exchanged a look with Raghav and Yash.
"This is it," Raghav said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Our first chance to show them what we've got."
Mak nodded. "Yeah, one week isn't a long time. We'll need to be on point from now on."
The thought of facing Riverdale High in a week's time was both thrilling and nerve-wracking, but Mak's passion for cricket only fueled his determination. He was ready to pour everything into his batting practice, refining every shot and ensuring that, when the time came, he would perform at his best.
As the team walked off the field, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows. The journey ahead was still long, but with the right guidance from coaches like Ranjan and Neel, and a strong camaraderie building within the team, Mak felt confident. The upcoming match was just the first step.