The morning of the Hyderabad fixture arrived with a crisp breeze and a dry pitch. The UP squad moved through warm-ups with quiet intensity. Coach Ramesh Bhatia had emphasized discipline—Hyderabad's middle order was known for late surges, and UP's bowling unit would need every ounce of control.
Nikhil Srivatam wasn't in the playing XI.
He knew it before the team sheet was posted.
He didn't flinch.
He packed his notebook, tucked Veer under his arm, and walked out with the squad.
He wasn't waiting.
He was preparing.
First Innings – UP Batting
UP won the toss and chose to bat.
The innings began steadily. Raghav Mehta played with flair, Karan Bhagat anchored, and Ravi Teja rotated strike with precision. But Hyderabad's spinners slowed the middle overs, and UP finished with 228 for 8 in 50 overs.
A defendable total.
But not a safe one.
The Blow
In the 44th over, Tanishq Rawat, a reserve batter filling in for Devankar Singh, faced a rising delivery from Hyderabad's left-arm quick. He tried to hook but misjudged the bounce.
The ball struck him flush on the forearm.
He dropped his bat and crumpled to the ground.
The physio rushed in.
Tanishq was helped off the field, his arm already swelling.
Ten minutes later, the medical team confirmed: hairline fracture. Unavailable for fielding.
Coach Bhatia turned to the dugout.
"Nikhil. You're on."
The Walk
Nikhil stood up, adjusted his cap, and walked onto the field.
He wasn't batting.
He wasn't bowling.
He was fielding.
And that was enough.
Second Innings – Hyderabad Chasing
Hyderabad began cautiously.
Mayank Rawat bowled with venom, swinging the ball away from the right-handers. Vivek Agnihotri kept a tight line, forcing dots.
Nikhil was placed at deep point.
He didn't chase attention.
He chased balls.
In the 9th over, a cut shot raced toward him. He sprinted, slid, and flicked the ball back inside the rope—saving two runs.
In the 14th, a lofted drive came his way. He judged the dip, timed his leap, and palmed it back to Ravi Teja—turning a boundary into a single.
In the 21st, he sprinted 30 meters to back up a throw that missed the stumps—preventing an overthrow.
He didn't speak.
He didn't celebrate.
He just fielded.
The Turning Point
At 32 overs, Hyderabad was 162 for 4.
Their No. 5 batter, a left-hander known for sweeping, tried to reverse paddle against Siddharth Rao.
The ball popped up.
Nikhil, stationed at short third, dived forward and caught it inches off the turf.
The team erupted.
Siddharth pointed at him.
"That's the trap we talked about."
Nikhil nodded.
The Final Stretch
Hyderabad needed 41 off 42 balls.
Coach Bhatia rotated bowlers. Ravi Teja adjusted the field. Nikhil moved like a shadow—covering gaps, backing throws, cutting angles.
In the 47th over, a mistimed loft flew toward long-off.
Nikhil sprinted, eyes locked, arms pumping.
He didn't dive.
He didn't need to.
He stopped the second run.
Hyderabad needed 9 off the last over.
Mayank bowled.
Dot. Single. Dot. Two. Wicket.
Last ball—Hyderabad needed 6.
The batter swung.
Top edge.
Ball flew toward deep point.
Nikhil ran.
He didn't hesitate.
He caught it.
UP won by 4 runs.
The Aftermath
Back in the dressing room, the team sat in quiet celebration.
No loud cheers.
Just relief.
Tanishq had been taken to the hospital for scans. The physio confirmed he'd be out for at least two weeks.
Coach Bhatia clapped once.
"Today wasn't about stars. It was about effort."
He looked at Nikhil.
"You didn't bowl. You didn't bat. But you helped us win."
The Night Reflection
Later that night, Nikhil sat with Veer under the stadium lights.
He didn't feel sidelined.
He felt seen.
Then he whispered:
"Sometimes the field is enough."