Karnataka U-10 State Tournament: Match 2
Aryan Varma (Age: 4 years, 8 months)
Opponent: West Karnataka District (Rehan Sharma's Team)
The early morning mist was still clinging to the outfield as Aryan laced up his boots near the dressing room tent. He could hear the shuffle of pads, murmurs of coaches, and the rhythmic thud of cricket balls hitting practice bats. But all his focus was centered on one thing.
Rehan Sharma.
The boy he'd met during trials. The confident, cocky batting prodigy with a sharp tongue and serious pedigree. In the past week, Rehan had scored a rapid 60 in his team's opener and had even been interviewed in the local paper as "the most promising boy in Karnataka's junior cricket."
They didn't mention Aryan.
But that would change today.
> [System Sync – Match Mode Activated]
Opponent: West Karnataka
Key Rival: Rehan Sharma
Match Type: Zonal U-10
Objectives:
– Score 40+ runs
– Dismiss Rival (Rehan Sharma)
– Win Match
– No more than 2 fielding errors
Bonus Objective: Psychological Edge Gained Over Rival
Reward: Permanent Rival Suppression Trait (+Focus, +Aura)
Aryan stood silently as the Bangalore team huddled.
Captain Sanjay turned to him.
"You want to open today?"
Aryan didn't hesitate. "Yes."
The coach raised an eyebrow, but nodded.
"Go prove a point."
---
As Aryan walked out to bat, a group of kids on the West Karnataka team were whispering among themselves.
"There he is—the 'Little Lion'."
"He's like half our size."
Then came Rehan's voice—loud, playful, but barbed.
"Hey baby lion! Try not to meow today, okay?"
A few of his teammates chuckled.
Aryan didn't respond.
He just nodded to the umpire, tapped the pitch, and took guard.
The bowler, a left-arm pacer named Jignesh, looked excited. "First ball's going at your helmet," he muttered.
The ball came in sharp and fast—almost chest height.
Aryan rocked back and pulled it cleanly past square leg. Four.
Second ball—full and swinging.
Driven through covers. Four.
Third ball—off-cutter.
Tucked behind square. Two runs.
And with that, the silence returned. Even Rehan had nothing to say.
---
By the 8th over, Aryan was on 42 off 28 balls.
He wasn't just batting—he was controlling the game.
He didn't play a single risky shot. His footwork was flawless. He rotated strike at will. Even used the bowlers' aggression against them—soft hands, delayed shots, late cuts.
In the 9th over, Rehan came on to bowl his leg-spin.
He tossed the first ball up.
Aryan met it with a dead bat.
Rehan smirked. "You scared now?"
Aryan stepped down the next delivery and chipped it inside out over covers for four.
Rehan bit his lip.
He tossed the next one wider. Aryan danced again—but this time, missed it.
"Too eager," Rehan said with a grin.
But on the very next ball, Aryan swept it fiercely to the square-leg boundary. Four more.
He raised his bat quietly.
> [Objective Achieved – 40+ Runs]
Current Score: 50 (35 balls)
Public Reaction: Crowd Chants "Little Lion"
Rival Mood: Frustrated (Level 2)
Rehan's over ended with 16 runs.
Aryan didn't speak once.
But he was speaking loud enough with his bat.
---
Bangalore ended with 162/5 in 20 overs.
Aryan finished with a classy 62 off 42, anchoring the innings.
Now, it was time to bowl.
---
Rehan walked out to bat at No. 3 for West Karnataka.
Aryan could see it in his eyes—determination, irritation, and maybe a little bit of fear.
He got the ball in the 6th over.
Rehan had just started settling in, having hit two beautiful cover drives.
Coach Sandeep gave a silent nod from the dugout.
Aryan set his field.
First ball: off-cutter, short of length. Dot ball.
Rehan smiled. "Giving me respect, huh?"
Second ball: quicker, seaming in.
Rehan flicked, no run.
Third ball: slightly wider, inviting a drive.
Rehan bit the bait.
He lunged forward.
Edge!
Caught at slip!
Gone.
Aryan turned around slowly and walked back to his mark without celebration.
But inside?
He felt fire.
> [System Update]
Rival Dismissed: Rehan Sharma – 9 (10 balls)
Psychological Edge: Gained
Trait Earned: Calm Predator (+Composure, +Match Reading)
Crowd Roar: "LION GOT HIM!"
Aryan bowled two more overs—tight lines, smart changes of pace.
He ended with 3-0-13-1.
West Karnataka collapsed under pressure and were all out for 111.
Bangalore won by 51 runs.
Aryan was again declared Man of the Match.
---
After the match, Rehan avoided eye contact.
But just before boarding the team van, he walked over.
"You got me today," he muttered.
Aryan looked up. "Today's just the beginning."
They locked eyes for a moment.
Then Rehan turned away.
> [System Notification]
Rival Status: Active – Phase 2
Emotional Link: Rivalry Cemented
New Goal: Defeat Rehan in State Finals
Reputation Update:
– Team Respect: Very High
– Coach Sandeep: "He's not just a prodigy—he's a storm."
– Media Headline: "Lion vs Lion – Aryan Roars Again!"
Back home, Aryan didn't boast. He didn't celebrate. He just quietly opened his training journal and wrote:
> "The real game has begun."