Chapter 38: Neophobia

As the final ODI between India and Pakistan approached, the hotel buzzed with a palpable sense of tension and heightened security. Despite alternating days of rest and training, the teams were fully prepared for the highly anticipated match.

However, the rivalry between these two nations had reached a boiling point, with political tensions overshadowing the sport. This series could very well be the last time these two powerhouses face off in bilateral competition.

Excitement filled the air as our team boarded the bus and made their way to the Multan Cricket Stadium for the highly anticipated final match between India and Pakistan. When the coin was flipped and our team won the toss, the decision was made to take the field first.

"As our team took to the field, the remnants of the previous night's rain still lingered, causing the pitch to be slightly affected by the humidity and moisture. Despite the conditions.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of concern as I surveyed the soft pitch. I knew that my bowling would be impacted by the conditions, and I desperately hoped that I would get the chance to show my skills on the field. The moisture on the ground also posed a challenge for fielding, adding another layer of difficulty to the already intense match.

The field was finally set, and my heart raced as I heard my name called to bowl the first over. With the pitch conditions not favouring pacers, the captain decided to give us a test run to see how we would perform.

As I approached the crease, ready to deliver the first ball of the powerplay, my nerves were palpable. I had never played on a pitch that wasn't completely dry.

Growing up playing cricket in India, I was used to the familiar feel of dry pitches under my feet. But now, as I stood on the moist pitch in Multan, I realized that I was out of my comfort zone.

I struggled with what type of delivery to make, as I was unsure of how to approach this unfamiliar terrain. My confidence from past matches suddenly felt like a distant memory, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in over my head.

I cursed myself for not seeking advice beforehand, but it was too late now. I just had to trust in my instincts and see how it would all play out.

As I delivered my first ball, I put everything I had into it, reaching my maximum speed. To my surprise, the batsman was ready and waiting, expertly picking the perfect length to flick it away for a boundary towards the fine leg fence. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as I saw the ball sail away for four runs.

I regrouped and focused on my next delivery, going full and putting all my effort into making it swing in towards the batsman. This time, Malik was on point with his placement, and the ball shot past Dravid and mid-off, who was unable to stop it from going for another four runs.

I was feeling the heat of the situation when suddenly, Dravid approached me. "Vipin, what are you doing?" he asked.

"Why are you rampaging in with speed? The damp pitch is killing your momentum, making it easier for the batsman to place the ball for a four. Slow down a bit, okay? Try to surprise the batsman with slower swingers."

With Dravid's words ringing in my ears, I approached my third delivery with renewed focus. I decided to try a knuckle ball, slowing down my pace and catching the batsman off guard. The sudden decrease in speed took the batsman by surprise, and he completely missed the ball, much to my delight.

I stuck to this new strategy for the next few deliveries, continuing to surprise the batsman with knuckle balls. I didn't attempt any swingers, as I was still unfamiliar with the slow swinger. I didn't want to try anything new until it was absolutely necessary. With each delivery.

Despite my efforts, the first over ended with 12 runs. It was a disappointing start for our team, and I could see a hint of disappointment on the captain's face, even though he said nothing but one thing was certain - this was not how I envisioned the first over going.

This was a new experience for me, having never given up 12 runs in an over before. But I reminded myself that the environment and situation were different this time around.

I was asked to take my position in the slip, ready to do my part for the team by fielding well. I may not have been able to bowl as expected, but I was determined to make up for it with my fielding.

The moment finally arrived and I lived up to my position as a slip fielder. Sreesanth bowled a beauty of a leg-cutter, perfectly pitched near the off stump and angling towards the left-hander.

Butt pushed forward to defend, but the ball went off the edge and I was there, diving full length to my left, to make a fantastic catch. The roar of the crowd was deafening as we celebrated our first wicket.

The moment I was called in to bowl in the 8th over, I felt a mixture of nervousness and fear. My previous over had not gone as planned and I didn't want to risk trying something new. The uncertainty of the consequences weighed heavy on my mind.

But the batsman had already adjusted to my pace and line and were hitting me with ease. I offered 16 runs in this over. The captain took me off and substituted me with a spinner. I felt terrible, I let my team down, I let myself down.

With the score at 97-5 after 25 overs, the pitch was providing a huge help to bowlers - except for me. Unfortunately, my nerves are getting the best of me on this big stage and I'm feeling the pressure of not wanting to be laughed at.

As the drinks break approached, our team huddled together. With the game in full swing, there wasn't much time for conversation. So, I took the opportunity to initiate a chat and started with an apology.

"I'm sorry, everyone," I said, feeling defeated. "I don't know what's going on, but I just can't seem to get my bowling right today."

"No need to apologize," Dravid reassured me. "Everyone has a rough day every now and then."

"It's not just that," I replied, taking a deep breath. "I'm afraid to try out your suggestions. I've never thrown slow swingers before, and I'm scared of what might happen if I try and fail."

"What could be worse than what they've already done to us today?" Yuvraj quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

Gautam Gambhir chimed in with some encouragement. "If you're scared to try something just because of the outcome, then maybe this isn't the right game for you. Nothing in cricket is ever certain. Who knows, they could've scored 400 runs today, and then suddenly it starts pouring down rain and the game ends in a draw. The point is, don't worry about what might happen, focus on what you can do."

Dhoni added, "And don't forget, we're all here to help you out and cover for any mistakes. We're a team, Vipin."

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders as I listened to my teammates offer support and encouragement. "Thanks, guys," I said, feeling grateful for their camaraderie. "I appreciate it. I'll do my best out there."

Dravid clapped me on the back. "That's the spirit! Remember, we're all in this together. We'll get through this as a team."

His words were the missing piece of the puzzle that finally brought everything into focus. He was absolutely right: my team is here to support me, and when would I ever have a better opportunity to take a chance and try something new? Now is the time to go for it!