Bangalore, Summer 1995
Age: 4 Years, 6 Months
The sun rose slowly over the quiet lanes of Indiranagar, casting long golden beams across the Varma residence. Birds chirped from mango trees. A cool breeze rolled through the windows.
But inside Aryan's room, the air was electric.
Today was the day.
His first official trial.
Not a school game.
Not a local friendly.
Not backyard cricket with Aanya.
This was the U-10 State District Selection Trial.
Aryan had waited for this for months.
He had prepared using every simulation the system allowed—practicing against thousands of deliveries from historical bowlers, analyzing patterns, running footwork drills, and even mapping how the Bangalore U-10 selection team worked.
Now, it was time to show the world that he didn't just belong here—he was built for this stage.
---
> [System Sync – Activated]
Trial Mode Initiated
Objective: Impress U-10 Selectors (Batting + Bowling + Fielding)
Rival Introduced: Rehan Sharma (Batting Prodigy – Level 4)
Bonus Objective: Outperform Rival in Both Innings
Reward: Permanent Skill Boost + Enhanced Trial Access
---
At the breakfast table, Aparna carefully placed a plate of idlis and fruit in front of Aryan.
"Eat well, baby. It's a big day."
Rajan, dressed in a crisp white kurta, smiled. "Doesn't matter how big the game is. Just play your own way."
Aanya grinned across the table. "You're gonna destroy them."
Aryan looked around the table, heart full. He nodded quietly, his calm demeanor hiding the volcano of anticipation within.
"I'll make you proud."
He wasn't nervous.
He wasn't excited.
He was focused.
Laser-sharp.
---
The ground was buzzing by the time they arrived. Over a hundred kids were being called into clusters. Some looked sharp and fit. Some wore brand-new kits that looked barely touched. Most were aged 8 to 10.
And then there was Aryan—barely past four and a half.
Heads turned.
"Who brought a toddler here?" someone whispered.
"He's not even the right age."
"Are his parents trying to joke around?"
Aryan ignored all of it.
He wasn't here to explain himself.
He was here to compete.
And win.
Coach Sandeep walked beside him, clipboard in hand, tense but confident.
"I convinced the board to let you try out as a 'special exemption'. They'll be watching closely."
Aryan nodded. "I'll handle it."
Sandeep paused. "One more thing—you're not the only prodigy here today. There's a boy named Rehan Sharma. Just turned 10. Already played U-12 trials. His father's a former Ranji player."
Aryan smiled. "Then I guess it's a good day to meet him."
---
The trial began with fielding assessments.
The selectors were brutal—testing agility, diving reach, throwing accuracy, and reflex catches.
Most boys struggled to keep up.
But Aryan?
He glided across the grass, collected ground balls in motion, and fired bullet throws from the boundary. His footwork was precise. His catches were clean—even one-handed reflex grabs at silly point.
The fielding coach, a former state player named Mahadevan, walked over to Sandeep.
"Who is this boy?"
Sandeep smiled faintly. "Someone worth remembering."
---
Next was the bowling test.
Each candidate got 6 deliveries.
Aryan stepped onto the pitch, surprising everyone once again.
"Spin or pace?" asked the coach with a smirk.
Aryan grinned. "Medium seam."
The first delivery swung inward—late and sharp—clipping off stump.
Second was a slower cutter.
Third, a leg-cutter that beat the bat.
Fourth, a short one with extra bounce.
Fifth, an outswinger that took the edge.
Sixth, a yorker.
The coaching panel stood up mid-session.
This was unbelievable. The rhythm, control, and variation weren't just good—they were senior-level.
One of the selectors leaned to the head coach. "We need to recheck his age."
---
And then came the main event—batting trials.
Grouped in pairs, each candidate faced a mix of pace and spin from coaches. Each session was scored live—technique, shot selection, temperament, and strike rate.
Aryan was placed in Group C.
His partner?
Rehan Sharma.
Aryan studied him as they padded up together.
Rehan was tall for his age, lean, with sharp eyes and confident shoulders. His bat was custom-made, and he carried himself like a mini-celebrity.
"You're the little genius everyone's whispering about?" Rehan smirked.
Aryan didn't flinch. "Just here to play my game."
"Let's see if you can keep up."
The competition was on.
---
Rehan batted first.
And he was good.
Very good.
His footwork was precise. His off-side drives were textbook. He played spin with ease, flicking through mid-wicket and slicing square cuts.
In ten balls, he'd scored 26 runs.
The selectors nodded in approval.
Then came Aryan.
The bowler tried a back-of-length delivery.
Crack.
Aryan leaned back and punched it past point for four.
Next, an inswinger.
Thwack.
Whipped through midwicket.
Third, a quick bouncer.
Aryan ducked without blinking.
Fourth—wide half-volley.
He stepped forward and lifted it elegantly over covers.
Selectors stood again.
"Are we seriously watching a four-year-old?"
Sandeep smiled in the background. He knew what was happening.
Aryan wasn't just performing.
He was commanding the stage.
---
After the batting sessions, the panel called Sandeep over.
"How long has he been training?"
"About a year."
"That's not possible."
One selector leaned forward. "We've never seen this level of poise. Not even from U-12 boys."
Mahadevan, the fielding coach, added, "He's the only player who aced all three departments."
The head coach took a deep breath. "We'll make the call. He'll be the youngest player ever selected if it happens. Be ready."
Sandeep nodded once. Inside, his heart was thudding.
---
Back near the tents, Rehan approached Aryan with a cold smile.
"You're not bad. For a little guy."
Aryan tilted his head. "You're decent. But you leave too much gap between bat and pad when driving."
Rehan blinked.
It was true.
He scowled, then turned and walked off.
A rivalry had just begun.
> [System Update]
Trial Objective: Completed with Distinction
Rival Interaction: Rehan – Hostile (+Tension Perk Unlocked)
New Title: "Trial Storm"
Reward: Skill Boost – +5 Batting, +3 Bowling
Selector Impression: ELITE
---
That evening, Aryan returned home exhausted—but satisfied.
He didn't even need to check the system.
He knew the result.
Still, it buzzed one final time before sleep.
> [Congratulations!]
Selected for: Bangalore U-10 State Squad
Role: Batting All-Rounder (Flexible)
Next Phase Unlocked: Rising Star Arc
New Objectives:
– Perform in U-10 Tournament (Avg 30+, 5 wickets min)
– Begin wicketkeeping drills
– Build public image quietly
Rival Monitor: Rehan Sharma – Likely to meet again (Zonal Stage)
---
Lying in bed, Aryan clutched his training glove.
He had done it.
Step one of his cricket journey was complete.
He wasn't here to be a footnote.
He was writing the story of a legend.
One match at a time.