**Day 25 – Bat & Ball High-Performance Centre**
The air in the Iron Dome feels different today.
No music.
No announcements.
Only silence… until a siren pierces the air.
> 📢 "Welcome to the final trial of Pressure Week:
THE GUT CHECK."
Dhoni steps forward, his eyes sharper than ever.
> "This isn't about how many runs you score or wickets you take.
It's about your instinct.
Your will.
Your GUT."
---
### Trial Format – No Comfort Zones
Each player walks in *alone*.
They'll be given unpredictable situations — no warm-up, no team, no coaching — just a cricket scenario on screen.
They must instantly act it out in a simulation:
- Last over chase
- Reverse swing bowling on a dead pitch
- Batting with a broken partnership
- Defending 5 runs with 3 balls
- Facing a sledging field with crowd noise blasting
Each session is recorded. Scored. Judged by AI metrics and 3 selectors silently watching from above.
---
### Key Moments
**Aryan Raj** steps in.
> Situation: 8 runs needed off 3 balls.
> Partner just got out.
> Crowd mocking.
> Field set for bouncer trap.
He takes guard. The simulation bouncer flies in.
Aryan doesn't flinch. Hook shot — controlled, grounded four.
Next ball: slower yorker. Aryan just taps, runs two.
Last ball: full toss.
He doesn't go big — just places it to third man and *runs three*.
> Selector whispers: "This guy doesn't need power. He sees space."
---
**Zayaan Sheikh**'s turn.
> Situation: Sledging, loud crowd, facing 3 spinners in 4 overs.
Zayaan plays flashy strokes, hits a six… but then loses focus and gets stumped charging a googly.
In frustration, he yells at the simulation screen.
The room notes it all.
---
**Omkar Shinde**
> Bowling to a left-right pair, 6 runs to defend, wet outfield.
Omkar delivers 3 dot balls with flight and angle. Sets trap — batter holes out at long-on.
Calm. Precise.
> AI rates his "tactical execution" at 97/100.
---
**Sai Menon**
> Situation: Post-collapse batting, 5 wickets down for 30.
Sai holds one end, rebuilds with placements, avoids risk — perfect anchor role.
But critics question his *intent*.
---
**Rajveer Goyal**
> Situation: Captaincy pressure, 2 overs to defend with only 3 bowlers left.
He rearranges field twice, bowls himself, and ends up tying the game.
Gutsy but reckless.
---
### Evening – Final Group Meeting
All 44 players stand in the dome.
Dravid walks in.
> "Tomorrow morning, 22 of you… will go home."
No applause. No farewell dinner.
Just cold, silent pressure.
Dhoni adds:
> "Pressure doesn't reveal weakness.
It *removes excuses*."
---
### Aryan's POV – Late Night
He's sitting alone on the field under a floodlight.
Yuvraj joins him quietly.
> Yuvraj: "You think we're both staying?"
> Aryan (softly): "I don't think. I play. Let them decide."
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📊 **Final Trial Scores (Top 5):**
1. Aryan Raj – 96
2. Omkar Shinde – 94
3. Sai Menon – 90
4. Rajveer Goyal – 87
5. Yuvraj Rathore – 85
Zayaan drops to 8th. Silent. Devastated.
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**Next: Chapter 25 – The 22 Chosen: Dreams Begin, Hearts Break**