10 Chapter 10: Training Day 1

Our winter vacation just kicked off. I have made my schedule for training. Morning training with my team in presence of the coach in the academy. Later with Virat on the local ground but only on alternate days. I need my rest as well.

[Day 1]

Today is the very first day of the training. So our team started with the fielding practice. Today's practice focused more on physical endurance than anything. We practised diving catches, sliding blocks, running catches, high catches and many more.

The difficult things today were the straight catches and blocks on the point position. You have to be very reactive to the ball. It's like being reactive to your instincts and anticipating the ball before it comes to your side.

Good thing I have very good hand eye coordination, which makes my reactive blocks and catches very easy for me. I converted most of my blocks into catches earning myself the praise and point guard position.

I will make my fielding the best. A good fielder will always save runs for you.

After the training I went away with Virat. He picked up his bat and we went to the local ground for my practice. I have to work on my bowling.

"Hey, what do you think I lack? I mean you played an over against me and shot two balls out of the boundary." I asked Virat as he is the possible best critic right now. I mean our coach is also there but I don't think he will go out of his way to train me.

"You always pitch the ball in the exact same spot. I mean if I don't black them I am sure they'll go and hit the stumps and it would work for the first two balls but as the over progresses if a batsman gets comfortable with your speed. He will hit your pitches for sure. You need variation." Virat said while he was setting wickets on his side of the crease.

"Any idea what we should start with? You have played against many. You might know a trick or two. Should we start with speed" I asked for his opinion. I really have no idea. I always thought that I would play just like the players I saw on television but doing it something else.

The momentum you carry while running and your shoulder strength and rotation speed is transferred to the ball which makes the overall seed and swing the ball for a fast bowler. My control over my muscles makes it different for me to vary the speed as I always give the exact amount of push to the ball.

"Of course. Start with speed. Bowl me every ball with a different speed." Virat said as he passed me the ball and got ready with the bat.

"Fine" I spun the ball and juggled it between my hands and strided back for a runup. I ran down and threw the first ball. Virat blocked it with ease.

I picked up the ball. This time I'll bowl it slowly. I went back but not further and did my rundown. I threw the ball and I could see it was slower this time but it was once again blocked.

"I could see you would bowl slowly. Your run up distance shortened. Don't vary your run down distance. The batsman isn't a fool." Virat explained as he threw the ball back to me.

This time I didn't shorten my run up distance but I slowed my running speed and once again it was blocked.

"Once again. I could see you slowed down from the very start so I could anticipate a slow ball. Try something else ", Virat once again explained as he passed me the ball.

This time I started with my full speed but slowed down as I went down to the pitch but the result didn't change. Fourth ball I didn't change anything and bowled my fastest and again blocked.

I am out of everything I could do to reduce the speed but nothing came to my mind. I bowled the last two balls like the fourth. This went on for five more overs but the outcome didn't change.

Virat was very much in sync with my line and length and he could anticipate my speed by looking at my starting posture or something in my runup with anyone with a discerning eye could see.

I ended the day with a defeat and cycled my way back to my home. Said my goodbyes to Virat and peddled down to my house. The moment I felt on the very first day Ibowled isn't there. I have to find some alternative way or I will have to leave bowling behind.

[Day 2]

Today was the same as yesterday. We just trained our fielding but the intensity increased as we had to do twice of what we did yesterday. When the training ended. Our bodies were broken to the core. Good thing I only train with Virat on alternate days. I don't have any strength left in my body and this is after I have a peak ratio of muscles to increase my endurance.

I can't even think about what others are feeling at this moment. This coach is the devil in the literal sense. Who trains kids this much? What if someone leaves the team worst leaves the academy. What will happen to your income?

'Why do I care so much? I guess my age is catching up to me.' I thought as I can feel that as the days are passing by my thought process is changing into that of a child. I find random things much more interesting than before.

I act my age much more than I did in my starting years. I feel like playing all day rather than thinking about my career. I didn't like sweets much but candies are now my new favourite thing.

Is it for the best or worst only time will tell.