The coach floated through the traffic filled pressure cooker that was the streets of Bengaluru, the grounds were not far, but the safety of the players was important for the BCCI, though they'll never admit it, there were political and cultural factors that led to selection, even Prince, despite easily being the best youngster there, was more likely of being selected even if he wasn't as good as the rest, due to the influence and empire of his father, also the move to Delhi meant he was also more likely to be picked due to playing for the capital.
Talk filled the lively bus, and Prince found himself in conversation once again with Aru and Gill. They were discussing the training camp and if they do manage to stay in the team, then the exiting prospects of being able to play in the T20 tour of England, where the boys would take the England under nineteen team on for the first ever competition they'd play. As they approached the national cricket academy grounds and pulled into the lot, the players were greeted by NCA officials who showed them to the dressing room where the lads were met with a massive shock.
Standing in front of them was, THE, Rahul Dravid.
Prince was astounded but before anyone could move he went up to the coach and touched his shoe clad feet in traditional Indian greeting of an elder and experienced person, "Pleasure to finally meet you coach," Dravid smiled and made Prince straighten up before speaking, "Nice knowing that some of our youngsters haven't forgotten tradition, thank you Prince, I've heard lots about you."
The lads whispered and Parag clapped Prince on the back, nearly sending him toppling forwards.
"Today," Coach Dravid continued, "we will be focusing on basic skill tests, your aptness with bat, ball and when fielding, I will be your main coach during your India tenure, you report to me, okay, so batsmen pad up, bowlers go and warm up with our fitness coach."
The bowlers left, leaving Sundar, Parag, Tilak, Gill, Aru, Sudarshan, Pant, Shaw and Prince to pad up, this team was clearly a batsmen heavy lineup, with only two players being total bowlers as Sundar and Prince were all rounders, making for 6 Batsmen, 2 all rounders, 2 bowlers.
The boys that bat, padded up and headed to the nets where the now warmed up Arshdeep and Khaleel were waiting with Dravid sir. The lads crowded in a crescent shape around the coach and the bowlers before coach began to speak, "Okay, batsmen will face six overs each, 3 bowls fast," he pointed at Arshdeep, "and two balls spin," he finished off by patting Khaleel on the back, "When I call your name come up to bat."
"Rishabh Pant!"
Pant was solid against Arshdeep, savouring the fast ball, he played aggressively hitting drive after drive and loft after loft, there was a violent beauty to the way Pant batted the ball. However his elation at being able to take 33 runs from Arshdeep was soon gone as Khaleel came to bowl, the first over was tight as pant struggled to deal with the change in bowling and on the second ball of the second over, Pant's middle stump went flying due to a flipper that flew under his bat. Well Bowled. Pant was out 36 for 26.
"Prithvi Shaw!"
Shaw came and met the pace bowling with elegant drives and defensive cover, after the first over though, he began to loft and drive harder, Arshdeep was unable to capitalise and when Khaleel came to bowl it was much the same. Shaw maturely spent the first over taking the balls as they came to fine tune his batting to match Khaleel's bowling, soon he managed to once again start lifting and driving, finishing an excellent performance. 44 of 36 not out.
"Aru Menon!"
Aru came to the crease and instantly played big shots, every ball Arshdeep threw was hit for six after six, Dravid occasionally shook and nodded his head seeing the aggressive display truly fit for an explosive T20 type opening batsmen, however disaster struck and in Arshdeep's third over, he bowled a brilliant leg cutter that reached past Aru's swinging bat, clattering into the leg stump. Out. 36 for 12. A crazy 2 overs from Aru.
"Tilak Verma!"
Tilak came to the crease with flair and played Arshdeep well, hitting for cover and straight drives, he played it with class, he used the crease once again decisively to play against Khaleel who was left scratching his head on how to get Verma out, eventually the controlled and gentlemanly display from Tilak earned him a 38 of 36 Not Out.
"Prince Martin!"
Prince nearly audibly gulped at Dravid calling his name, but Aru patted his shoulder and gently pushed Prince forward, with help from his friend and the system the nerves were gone with a blink of an eye, Prince became the epitome of composure. As Arshdeep came into bowl, Prince did not need to watch his wrist as the system chimed in his ear,
Prince played Khaleel with ease anticipating the googly, lofting it high over mid on for six. He played the next ball, an elegant cover drive riding for four, the second over looked as follows... 6-4-1-2-4-4.(21) Prince played the rest of the overs well, keeping his wicket and occasionally lifting the ball for six and driving for four resulting in a dominant display. 3rd Over: 4-1-1-2-4-2.(14) 4th Over: 6-2-1-1-1-2.(13) 5th Over: 0-1-2-4-1-0 (8) 6th Over: 6-6-1-1-1-4. (19) All together Prince maintained 86 of 36... a ridiculous batting display that had Arshdeep put his face in his hands and Khaleel look frustrated. prince walked up to them and comforted them that they had bowled well.
As he was walking back and taking pads off coach Dravid approached and talked to Prince, "Well Batted but you're an all rounder right prince, now that you've shown me you're batting, show me you're bowling, fast right?"
"Yes sir!" Prince removed his batting pads and received the ball from Arshdeep as Coach dravid called up the next batsman.
"Shubman Gill!"
Prince exhaled slow and from the abdomen as he waited for Gill to be ready... Prince whispered into his mind for just the system....