*Day 14 – The Final Elimination Match**
Location: Iron Dome, Full House Attendance
A storm brews above the stadium. Not of weather… but of fate.
The scoreboard glows:
**"Top 20 Will Advance. Today, 24 Will Go Home."**
Inside the players' tunnel, the atmosphere is electric. Gloves tighten. Boots stomp. Heartbeats thump like war drums.
---
**Pre-Match Briefing – MS Dhoni to Players:**
> "This is the last test before the program narrows. Forget your rank. Forget your rival. Today, just survive… or fade."
The two lowest-ranked teams are randomly split for one final clash.
Aryan, Yuvraj, Sai, Omkar, Zayaan — *All safe*.
But Tarun, Iqbal, Danish, Rehaan, Aayush — *All on the edge.*
---
**Match: Team Tarun vs. Team Iqbal**
Winner's team advances. Loser's team faces direct elimination.
Tarun is captain by vote. Iqbal looks calm, but something's off.
---
**First Innings – Team Iqbal Bats**
Danish opens with a fiery 34(18), but Aayush falls early.
Iqbal walks in — unusually hesitant.
Omkar (watching from stands):
> "Something's wrong. He's overthinking. Not the Iqbal we knew."
Pressure mounts. Iqbal misjudges a spin trap. LBW.
Team collapses for 132/10 in 19.2 overs.
---
**Second Innings – Team Tarun Chases**
Tarun plays anchor. Rehaan explodes with 28 off 12.
Danish tries to defend with spin and variations, but the game slips.
Final Over: 4 needed from 5
Tarun finishes it with a calm drive through covers.
---
**Result: Team Tarun Wins**
Team Iqbal Eliminated
---
**Emotional Fallout:**
In the locker room, silence hangs heavy.
Iqbal removes his gloves slowly… and stares at the floor.
Aryan approaches.
> Aryan: "You're better than one match."
> Iqbal: "Then why did it end here?"
Sai enters:
> "It's not the end. It's a redirection."
---
**BCCI Announcement:**
> "The top 20 have officially advanced. The Bat & Ball Core Squad is now formed."
> "Next Phase: Journey to India's Sacred Grounds – Touring Matches Begin."
---
**Core 20 Squad Highlights:**
- Aryan Raj
- Yuvraj Rathore
- Sai Menon
- Omkar Shinde
- Zayaan Sheikh
- Tarun Nair
- Danish Farooqui
- Rehaan Singh
- Aayush Mehta
- Rajveer Goyal
…and 10 more.
---
**Post-Match – Iron Dome Balcony**
Aryan looks out at the rain starting to fall.
Omkar joins him.
Omkar: "Some goodbyes are silent."
Aryan: "But we heard them. Loud and clear."
The lights of the Dome flicker behind them as the next chapter of their journey begins…
---
**Next Up:
Chapter 16 – The India Tour Begins: First Stop – Eden Gardens*