Day 13 – Match 2 of Elimination Phase
Location: Iron Dome Stadium
Morning mist blankets the stadium, but inside Aryan Raj's mind — it's fogged with doubt.
He tapes his bruised knuckles, wraps them silently, and walks out. No war paint. No speeches. Just him… and his bat.
Match 2 Fixture:
Aryan Raj's team vs. Sai Menon's team
Toss: Aryan loses. Sai chooses to bat first.
From the very first ball, Aryan looks different. He doesn't speak, but every field placement he suggests — works.
Commentators whisper:
> "This is not aggression. This is *response*. Pressure may have humbled him… but it didn't break him."
Sai scores a calm 52, but Aryan's tactical fielding helps trap other key batters. Two sharp runouts. One flying catch.
Target: 158 in 20 overs
Opening: Aryan walks out to bat.
First 10 balls – all dot.
The tension is suffocating.
Then...
Ball 11: Length delivery – Aryan leans forward and drives past cover. Four.
Ball 13: Short ball – pulls flat over square. Six.
Ball 15: Overpitch – flicks through midwicket. Four again.
Yuvraj in commentary box:
> "He's not scoring… he's sending a message. Aryan is back."
Final Over – 12 needed from 6
Aryan faces the final bowler – Tarun Nair.
Ball 1: Yorker – dug out, single.
Ball 2: Dot.
Ball 3: Wide outside off – Aryan leaves.
Ball 4: Slower ball – Aryan steps down and lofts it over long-on. SIX.
4 needed from 2.
Tarun runs in. Aryan's eyes burn still.
Ball 5: Full toss – slapped over point. FOUR!
Aryan finishes unbeaten 64*(46). Walks off. Doesn't raise his bat. Doesn't smile. But inside…
His silence is louder than any celebration.
Commentators again:
> "The phoenix wore pads today."
Post-Match Elimination Standings (After Day 2):
1. Yuvraj Rathore – 94
2. Sai Menon – 91
3. Aryan Raj – 88
4. Omkar Shinde – 84
5. Zayaan Sheikh – 83
Bottom 6 remain unchanged. Final match tomorrow will decide who survives.
Nightfall – Rooftop
Aryan and Sai look at the stars.
Sai: "You were out. Everyone knew it. What brought you back?"
Aryan (calmly): "Doubt. It burned me. So I burned it back."
Sai smiles faintly: "You're strange, Aryan. But whatever you are — it works."
Camera pans down to the Dome lights… the final war is near.
Next Up:
**Chapter 15 – Do or Die: The Final Match Before Elimination**