The news of Vijay's injury and his own unexpected opportunity electrified Aarav. He had just a few days before the crucial practice match, a brief window to prove he deserved a place in the starting XI for the inter-college tournament. While his physical training had been relentless, Aarav understood that this moment demanded more than just strong muscles and refined technique. It demanded mindset.
He knew his skills weren't yet perfect; his action still had rough edges, and his control could waver under pressure. But he had seen enough matches, enough crumbling performances, to recognize that in high-stakes situations, a calm head often triumphed over pure talent. He vividly recalled the stunned silence of the crowd when Kohli fell, the desperation as Dhoni tried to do it all alone. In those moments, it wasn't about the perfect delivery or the most elegant shot, but about composure, resilience, and an unwavering belief in oneself.
For the next few days, alongside his regular net sessions, Aarav began to engage in intense mental preparation. He carved out quiet moments in his room, closing his eyes and visualizing match scenarios with vivid detail.
He imagined the pressure: the hostile crowd, the expectant teammates, the determined batsman at the crease. He pictured himself walking to the top of his mark, the ball in his hand, his heart thumping. He didn't shy away from the negative possibilities – a boundary conceded, a wide bowled under pressure – but he always mentally reset, focusing on the next ball, the next delivery. He practiced taking deep breaths, letting go of the previous outcome, and re-centering his focus.
He imagined the key moments: the captain throwing him the ball in a tight situation, the team needing a breakthrough. He saw himself running in, concentrating solely on his line and length, hitting the perfect spot, inducing a false shot, and celebrating a crucial wicket. He ran through different outcomes: bowling a maiden over, getting hit for a four but immediately bouncing back with a dot ball. The goal was to build mental fortitude, to train his mind to remain calm amidst the chaos.
He also focused on his defensive batting from this new, psychological angle. He imagined walking in with the team on the verge of collapse, needing to support a set batsman like Dhoni. He pictured himself facing a fiery fast bowler, not trying to score, but simply seeing out the over, protecting his wicket, and rotating the strike with deliberate calm. He rehearsed the routine in his head: watching the ball, getting his bat down, a quick single to put the main batsman back on strike. It was about denying the opposition, frustrating them, and being an unmovable obstacle.
This mental net practice became as crucial as his physical drills. He wasn't just working on his arm swing or his footwork; he was sculpting his inner game. He understood that the skills would only get him so far. It was the ability to stay calm, to focus under immense pressure, and to believe in his process that would ultimately determine whether he seized this chance or let it slip away. The practice match wasn't just a test of his bowling arm, but of his mind.