Chapter 15 — The First Selection Rumor
Age: 9 Years Old
The air in Kolkata felt heavier than usual that morning.
Near Dakshineswar Kali Temple, the river breeze carried temple bells, market noise, and something new—
whispers.
At nine years old, Riddhiman Paul had stopped being "just a local boy."
He had become a name people mentioned casually in cricket circles.
Not loudly.
Not officially.
But repeatedly.
The Rumor Starts
It began at a small tea stall near the ground.
Two local club players were talking.
"Oi chhoto chele ta ke shunechis?"
(Have you heard about that small kid?)
"Ha… oi je field change kore dey?"
(Yes… the one who changes the field?)
Pause.
"Selectors der lokjon already dekheche naki bole shuni."
(I heard selectors have already watched him.)
That sentence spread faster than gossip in monsoon wind.
Ghosh Kaku heard it too.
But he didn't react immediately.
He just looked at Riddhiman during practice.
The boy was still the same:
silent
focused
calculating
But something was different now.
The world was starting to look at him.
Practice Session
Today's practice was harder.
Not physically.
Mentally.
Because everyone was watching him more closely.
Even teammates.
Even opponents.
Even random spectators.
Pressure changed shape.
First over.
Fast bowling.
Riddhiman defended calmly.
No mistake.
Second over.
Variation attempted.
Still controlled.
Third over.
Now bowlers started experimenting.
But every experiment failed.
Because every pattern was already being read.
One bowler muttered:
"Eita normal reaction na…"
(This is not normal reaction…)
Another replied:
"Eita anticipation."
(This is anticipation.)
Box Theory Evolution
Something new happened today.
Riddhiman's Box Theory evolved silently.
Earlier:
he saw boxes
he predicted movement
he reacted late
Now:
He started forcing movement early.
He no longer waited for gaps.
He created:
panic gaps
pressure gaps
forced gaps
This was different.
More dangerous.
The Incident
Midway through innings, a sharp yorker hit his pad.
Appeal.
LOUD.
"OUT!"
The bowler shouted instantly.
For a moment, silence.
Riddhiman stood still.
No panic.
No reaction.
He simply looked at the bowler.
Then slowly shook his head.
Not out.
The umpire hesitated.
Then raised hand:
Not out.
A murmur spread instantly.
"That was close…"
"He read it late again…"
Ghosh Kaku narrowed his eyes.
This wasn't batting anymore.
This was control over perception.
After Over Break
The coach walked closer.
"Tor against lokjon kichu bolche."
(People are saying things about you.)
Riddhiman didn't look up.
"Ki bolche?"
(What are they saying?)
Ghosh Kaku paused.
"Selectors dekheche tor game."
(Selectors have watched your game.)
That finally made Riddhiman stop adjusting his gloves.
Not excitement.
Not fear.
Just processing.
The First Real Implication
Selectors.
That word meant something new.
Not para cricket.
Not local dominance.
Something larger.
Structured.
Official.
But Riddhiman didn't smile.
He didn't feel happiness.
He only felt:
delay in system expansion
Because in his mind—
he was still building.
Still incomplete.
Final Over Pressure Test
Required: 10 runs from 6 balls.
Opposition confident.
Crowd loud.
Expectation high.
First ball: single.
Second ball: dot.
Pressure increases.
Third ball.
Field tightens.
Riddhiman studies field for half second longer than usual.
Then adjusts.
Late cut.
FOUR.
Crowd reaction changes.
From confidence → uncertainty.
Fourth ball.
Bowler loses rhythm.
Wide ball.
Pressure shifting.
Ghosh Kaku whispers:
"Ei moment ta dangerous…"
(This moment is dangerous…)
Fifth ball.
Mistake from bowler.
Full toss.
Riddhiman doesn't rush.
He waits.
Just a fraction.
Then places it through gap.
SINGLE.
Match nearly over.
Final Ball
Needed: 2 runs.
Field spreads slightly.
Bowler nervous now.
Approach changes.
Delivery comes.
Riddhiman watches everything:
wrist angle
seam position
shoulder tilt
Then moves.
Late.
Controlled.
Ball goes behind point.
Game ends.
After Match Silence
No wild celebration.
Not this time.
Something heavier filled the air.
Respect.
Confusion.
Recognition.
One opponent finally said:
"Eto chhoto chele… kintu game control kore dicche."
(So small a kid… yet controlling the game.)
Ghosh Kaku's Final Observation
As players left ground, the coach spoke quietly:
"Selectors jodi abar dekhe…"
(If selectors watch again…)
He paused.
Then added:
"Tui aar local player thakbi na."
(You won't remain a local player anymore.)
Ending of Chapter 15
That night, Riddhiman stood on the rooftop again.
Wind was calm.
Sky was empty.
Bat in hand.
He didn't think about selection.
He didn't think about praise.
He thought only one thing:
"If attention is increasing…"
"Then pressure will increase too."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
And in silence, he whispered:
"Good."