He didn't jog in.
He charged.
Mumbai's fastest bowler took his mark at the boundary, eyes locked on Rudra like a challenge that had already been accepted.
No smile.
No theatrics.
Just intent.
Action Anand (Low, tense):
"This is their enforcer. Raw pace, hard lengths. Mumbai's saying—if you want this match, earn it."
Rudra rolled his shoulders once, loosening muscles that were already burning.
The bat felt heavier now.
Not from weight.
From consequence.
Rudra (Thinking):
Fast bowlers believe fear wins battles.
Timing wins wars.
Over 38.1
The bowler thundered in and released from high, slinging action.
Short.
Fast.
Aimed at the ribs.
Rudra swayed back just in time, letting the ball whistle past his chest.
Dot ball.
A gasp from the stands.
Major Rathore:
"Good leave. That ball could've broken a young man's confidence."
The bowler didn't look away.
He turned and walked back, jaw tight.
Over 38.2
Fuller this time, swinging in late.
Rudra's front foot moved instinctively, bat coming down straight.
The ball thudded into the pad.
A loud appeal.
Silence.
Not out.
Sher Shrivastava (Chuckling):
"Arre bhai, umpire bhi nahi dara! Seedha tha—bilkul seedha!"
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
🟢 [Reflexes] EXP +40
🟢 [Defensive Technique] EXP +35
The bowler wiped sweat from his brow.
He had expected panic.
He got precision.
Over 38.3
Another short ball.
This one faster.
Meaner.
Rudra was ready.
He rose on his toes and guided it with soft hands, steering the ball down to third man.
One run.
The strike rotated.
Action Anand:
"That is ice-cold decision-making! He's using the pace instead of fighting it!"
At the non-striker's end, Rudra raised his hand briefly.
A silent signal.
Stay calm.
The bowler turned his fury on the other batsman.
Two balls later—
CRACK.
A mistimed pull.
A catch at midwicket.
Wicket.
The stadium froze.
Major Rathore:
"And there it is. Pressure finds the weakest link."
Rudra closed his eyes for a fraction of a second.
Then opened them.
Rudra (Thinking):
So be it.
I'll finish this myself.
A new batsman walked in, visibly shaken.
The bowler returned to the top of his mark, breathing heavy.
Over 38.6
Last ball of the over.
Fast.
Full.
Outside off.
Rudra leaned into it and drove—pure timing, no excess power.
The ball raced along the carpet.
Four.
The roar was instant.
Action Anand (Exploding):
"WHAT. A. RESPONSE! Boundary under pressure! The kid refuses to blink!"
SYSTEM UPDATE:
🟢 [Batting – Pace Handling] EXP +70
🟢 [Mental Fortitude] EXP +60
The bowler stared.
Rudra didn't.
Scoreboard:
Required: 30 runs off 30 balls.
Perfect balance.
Rudra tapped the bat twice.
Not to hype himself.
To ground himself.
Rudra (Thinking):
They tried fear.
Next, they'll try chaos.
The crowd buzzed, sensing the climax approaching.
Sher Shrivastava (Voice rising):
"Yeh match ab skills ka nahi… hausle ka ho gaya hai!"
Rudra stood tall as the next over was about to begin.
The finish line was visible now.
But the hardest steps were still ahead.
End of Chapter 44
Next Chapter:
🔥 Chapter 45: The Over That Decides Everything
—A risky bowling change, a moment of madness, and one over that will be remembered long after the scoreboard fades.