Current Situation: Yadav (Postal Dept) has just bowled a dangerous Beamer. It went for Six (Top Edge). The Umpire called No-Ball. Next Ball: Free Hit.
SCORECARD UPDATE
Deccan Blues: 45/4 (9.4 Overs) Target: 165 (Postal Dept scored big)
Batsmen:
Sai Krishna: 13* (5 balls) — [Adrenaline: High]
Pandu (Keeper): 2* (4 balls) — [Watching from non-striker's end]
Bowler:
Yadav: 1.4-0-18-2 — [Temper: Uncontrollable]
The Free Hit
Yadav walked back to his mark. He was furious. The 6 runs had spoiled his figures. Because it was a Free Hit, he couldn't change the field (except for safety). He couldn't get a wicket. But he could hurt the batsman.
Yadav decided to bowl a 130kph Yorker. He wanted to break Sai's toe.
Sai stood at the crease. Analysis: He is angry. Anger makes you bowl fast and straight. Free Hit Rule: I can't get out (except run out). Strategy: Use his pace.
Sai changed his grip. He slid his hands all the way down to the bottom of the handle. Choke Grip for maximum control.
Ball 5 (Re-bowl): Yadav steamed in. He fired the yorker at the leg stump. Sai shuffled inside the line. He exposed his stumps completely. He dropped his bat horizontally. The Scoop Shot. (Dilshan Scoop / Marillier Shot).
In 2008, this shot was rare. Douglas Marillier had played it, but it wasn't common in Hyderabad C-Division.
[RESONANCE]
Sai didn't hit the ball. He just placed his bat in the path of the ball like a ramp. The ball hit the angled face of the bat and flew straight over the Keeper's head. Because Yadav bowled at 130kph, the ball flew fast.
It sailed over the long-stop boundary. SIX.
"Arey baap re!" Pandu screamed from the other end.
Deccan Blues: 52/4. Yadav kicked the dust. He had conceded 13 runs in one legal delivery (6+1+6). His figures were ruined: 1.4-0-31-2.
The Consolidation: Overs 10 to 20
Yadav was taken off the attack. The Captain brought in the spinners. This was Sai's territory.
MATCH STATUS: AFTER 15 OVERS
Deccan Blues: 98/4 Equation: 67 Runs needed off 30 Balls.
Batsmen:
Sai Krishna: 34* (22 balls) — [Status: Set]
Pandu: 24* (20 balls) — [Status: Slogging]
Bowler:
Ramesh (Left Arm Spin): 3-0-18-0
Sai walked up to Pandu. "Anna, listen. They have put the field back. Long-on and Long-off are deep. Stop swinging for six. Just push for single and give me strike. I will target the short boundary."
Pandu wiped sweat. "Okay Chotu. But run fast. My stamina is gone."
Over 16: The Calculator Mode
Sai knew he couldn't hit sixes at will. He had to be a surgeon. He looked at the field. The "Cow Corner" (Deep Mid-wicket) was open. But he didn't have the power to slog sweep.
Wait. The wind is blowing towards the Leg Side. Physics Assist.
Ball 1: Ramesh tossed it up. Sai stepped out. He didn't slog. He lofted it with the wind. [CLICK] He timed it perfectly. The wind carried it just over the fielder. FOUR.
Ball 2: Ramesh bowled flatter. Sai rocked back. Late Cut. TWO Runs.
Ball 3: Ramesh panicked and bowled a full toss. Sai didn't hit it hard. He just directed it past the umpire. FOUR.
Sai was dissecting the field. He wasn't playing against the bowler; he was playing against the Captain's field placement.
The Climax: Over 19
SCORECARD UPDATE
Deccan Blues: 148/5 Pandu got out slogging in Over 18.
Target: 165 Equation: 17 Runs needed off 12 Balls.
Batsmen:
Sai Krishna: 62* (38 balls) — [Fatigue: Critical]
Naseer (Auto Driver): 0* (0 balls) — [Just walked in]
Bowler:
Yadav (Returning): 3-0-45-2
Yadav was back. He wanted revenge. Sai was tired. His 10-year-old legs were cramping. He had run so many twos that his lungs felt like burning paper.
Naseer walked up to Sai. "Oye, 50 kottav (You scored 50). Party tonight. But now, just take single. I will handle Yadav."
Sai looked at Naseer. "Bhai, he will bowl bouncers." Naseer grinned. "I eat bouncers for breakfast."
Ball 1: Yadav ran in. Short ball. Naseer didn't duck. He swiveled. A massive, ugly, cross-batted Pull Shot. CRACK. The power of a man who drives an auto without power steering. The ball flew over Mid-Wicket. SIX.
Equation: 11 off 11.
Ball 2: Yadav bowled full. Naseer swung blindly. Inside edge. Ball trickled to fine leg. Single.
Sai on strike. Yadav saw the kid. He smiled cruelly. 10 runs needed.
Ball 3: Yadav bowled a perfect yorker. Sai dug it out. [CLICK]. Dot ball.
Ball 4: Yadav bowled another yorker. Sai dug it out again. Dot ball.
Pressure mounting. 10 off 8.
Sai knew he couldn't just block. I need a boundary. Yadav thinks I can only block the yorker.
Ball 5: Yadav ran in. Same action. Same intent. Yorker. Sai took a gamble. He moved deep into his crease. Almost stepping on his stumps. By moving back, he turned the Yorker into a Half-Volley.
He opened the face of the bat. He carved it over Point. The ball flew in the air... The Point fielder jumped... It went over his hands.
FOUR.
"Technique ra! Pure Technique!" Reddy Sir screamed from the tent.
Equation: 6 off 7.
Ball 6: Yadav lost it. He bowled a wide. 5 off 7.
Next ball, Sai pushed a single. 4 off 6.