**Day 23 – Bat & Ball High-Performance Centre**
A notice flashes on every screen inside the dorms.
> 📢 "⚠️ FINAL RANKING WEEK BEGINS TODAY.
Only 22 players will survive.
This week determines who stays, who goes.
Welcome to: PRESSURE WEEK."
Tension hits every player like a bouncer to the chest.
They knew eliminations were coming — but now, every match, every decision, every *moment*… counts.
---
### BCCI Briefing Room
Dravid enters with folded arms. Dhoni and selectors follow.
> Dravid: "We've seen your techniques, your strengths. But what happens under chaos? Under expectations?"
> Dhoni: "You'll be tested in every direction. Situations will be unfair. You'll be benched randomly. Some will get fewer overs. Some won't get to bat."
> "Because *life* isn't fair. But cricket still demands results."
---
### Day 1 – The Overload Drill
First trial: **The Overload Drill**
Each player is put through an intense sequence:
- 2 overs bowling
- 4 overs fielding
- 1 over batting against new ball
- Immediate strategy interview — no recovery time
Omkar breezes through — his heartbeat never crosses 110.
Yuvraj smashes two sixes but collapses in the interview — mental blank.
Aryan keeps it balanced: scores 8 runs, fields cleanly, and calmly breaks down the opposing field strategy in the interview.
> Interviewer: "You didn't hit big, but you saw everything?"
> Aryan: "A chase doesn't need noise. It needs direction."
---
### Day 2 – Captaincy Swaps
Players are assigned **random captain roles** — leading mixed teams.
Sai Menon finds comfort — his logical mindset shines in strategy.
Zayaan, however, loses control again — his team argues mid-innings.
> Dev (to Zayaan): "You're too emotional to lead right now. Take a breath."
Zayaan doesn't respond. But in his eyes — you can see fear.
Not of failure, but of being forgotten.
---
### Day 3 – Media Simulation Room
Players are thrown into a mock press conference after a loss.
The twist? They have to defend decisions they didn't make.
> Rajveer crumbles: "But I wasn't even the captain!"
> Dravid: "Exactly. Learn to speak for the team. That's leadership."
Aryan again keeps his answers short, grounded.
> "We win together. We lose together. Next time, we fix it."
---
### Emotional Toll – Night in Dormitory
Sai is writing in his notebook.
Yuvraj stares at the ceiling, restless.
Zayaan punches his pillow — silently crying, alone.
Aryan walks in, sees it all… but says nothing.
He lies down… whispering one line:
> "Only two more days. And then… it all changes."
---
📊 **Current Provisional Top 5:**
1. Aryan Raj – Balanced, Emotionally Unshakeable
2. Omkar Shinde – Tactician under pressure
3. Sai Menon – High IQ, low ego
4. Rajveer Goyal – Underdog rising
5. Yuvraj Rathore – Impact player, inconsistent under chaos
---
🛑 **Note from BCCI:**
> "Final eliminations after next drill. Be ready."
---
**Next: Chapter 24 – The Gut Check Trial: Last Chance to Prove**