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Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: The Silent Strategist – Omkar’s Rise & The Group Disruption

Day 11 – Bat & Ball Program Dormitory

Morning air is still, but tension thickens in the halls.

Omkar Shinde, usually the quietest in the batch, walks into the breakfast area — and for the first time, players look at him before Aryan or Zayaan.

Yuvraj (whispers to Sai):

"Didn't even realise he was this good. Man's like a ghost with a game plan."

Sai (softly):

"He didn't rise… we were too loud to notice."

Media Buzz

Newsroom headlines start shifting:

"India's Dark Horse: Omkar Shinde"

"Spin Wizard or Silent Storm?"

"BCCI's program is breaking its own stars — and it's gold"

Fans are curious. Young kids now imitate Omkar's low-arm spin in street matches.

But not everyone is happy.

Zayaan, furious after his public defeat, corners Iqbal in the gym.

Zayaan:

"You played safe. Let Aryan lead you like a puppet. You had fire last week. What happened?"

Iqbal:

"I chose to observe. Maybe you should too."

BCCI Morning Brief – The Mind Disruption Drill

Players enter the Iron Dome again.

Dhoni walks in silently. No smile today.

Dhoni:

"Talent means nothing without mental alignment.

Today's mission: You will not know who your team is until you walk onto the pitch.

No planning. No captains. Just instincts."

A new challenge: Randomized Team Rotation Drill

Two matches. No captain. No prior knowledge. Just raw cricket — and trust.

Match 1: Aryan, Zayaan, Omkar, Tarun, Yuvraj – All in One Team

Shockwaves in the Dome. The 5 most emotionally complex players… playing together.

Yuvraj (to Zayaan):

"Don't try to lead. You're not the center today."

Aryan (calmly):

"Let's just do our job. Not everything's a war."

Zayaan refuses to make eye contact.

Bowling first. Omkar takes the ball.

He sets a perfect trap, controls field placements through gestures — even Zayaan quietly obeys.

Commentator in Control Room:

"Look at that. No captain, but Omkar's running the unit through sheer control of rhythm. This is new-age cricket IQ."

They win the match with tight fielding, three stumpings, and no ego clashes.

Even Dhoni claps silently from the shadows.

Match 2: Sai Menon vs. Rajveer Goyal – The Mental Pressure Reversal

Sai's team collapses under pressure.

Rajveer, the underdog, guides his team to a comeback win.

Sai, in frustration:

"I lost focus. They messed with our head during the toss. I never recovered."

Psychologists take notes.

Pressure profiles get updated. Rankings shift.

Post-Match Updates

📊 Psych Evaluation Rankings (Top 5):

Omkar Shinde – "Strategic Leader"

Aryan Raj – "Emotionally Stable"

Rajveer Goyal – "Situational Improviser"

Zayaan Sheikh – "Passion over Precision"

Yuvraj Rathore – "Explosive under Spotlight"

Nightfall – Dorm Rooftop

Aryan and Omkar sit in silence.

Aryan:

"You don't speak much. But you lead like you've done this for years."

Omkar:

"I watch. That's my voice."

They look out at the practice nets — Zayaan is training alone, hitting sixes in silence, shadowed by moonlight.

The storm hasn't passed.

It's just beginning.

🔥 Next Up:

Chapter 13 – "The First Eliminations: Cricket or Exit?"

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