The remaining 2 balls of Ali's over were simply used to take singles by Shrivastav and the new batter, Joshua, ending the wicket taking impact of Ali's first over.
[Shrivastav 12*(9) | Joshua 1*(1) 56/2]
Over 6-8, Anirudh took the 6th over, ready to take another wicket before the spinners took over again, Shrivastav defended 2 balls of Anirudh's bowling for dots. However, in the 3rd ball Suraj caused another misfield, leading not only to a missed run out, but even a four. Once again the rest of the team started scolding him, but he after all was a member of the team so they couldn't do anything for now. After this Shrivastav was on fire, taking a double and a single, and Joshua defended the last ball for a dot. Shrivastav then had to face Vasudev's first over, wherein Shrivastav took two doubles and a single, then Joshua took a double and a single. Then Vasudev missed his line, leading to the ball soaring away for a six. After this Shrivastav then took another dot ball. The eighth over was then Imran's, a part time fast bowler who had a mere bowling stat of 39. Joshua then took another single and Shrivastav took one as well. Then Imran somehow threw a full force inswinger at Joshua, which surprised him and so he defended it for a dot ball. Imran then tried a cutter ball, which then was hit forward for another single. Ali got mad at this slow rate of hitting, he wanted to get another wicket, but the duo of Joshua and Shrivastav were completely focused on building a partnership. Even Imran felt this, and so his next ball was badly bowled, leading to a four and a double by Shrivastav.
[Shrivastav 37*(22) | Joshua 6*(7) 86/2]
The next 3 overs were mere patnership building, with only singles and doubles and the occasional four, due to the lack of Zayed at the crease. By the end of the 11th over, which was Aditya's, the blue house had crossed 100 runs.
[Shrivastav 53*(32) | Joshua 15*(15) 111/2]
"And Shrivastav of the blue house has calmly got himself a half century! He has been amazing throughout, keeping an anchored innings! His deputy, Zayed had started off the innings with a blitzkrieg, and now Shrivastav aims to finish it! This has been a beautiful 1st innings from Blue House! Green House need a miracle to salvage this game!" Ashwin stated, as the match looks completely over as the blue house was thrashing the green house,loud cheers were heard from all the other house students except the green house.
Ali felt his chest tighten, thinking that he would lose here, but the system suddenly activated, giving him a new quest.
[NEW QUEST]
Destroy the Status Quo
Engineer a batting collapse of Blue House
Rewards: Gold Batting Moment, Absolute Analysis Eye [Becomes Permanent on Victory]
"Wait what? Why is the system giving me such a quest? Oh wait, what's an absolute analysis eye? Hmm, let's try it out. System, use absolute analysis eye!"
[Specify player. Only usable on one player per match. In free situations, once per day.]
"Shrivastav."
[Shrivastav Shan. A 17 year old anchoring batsman, who is able to play defensively on all types of bowling. However, he has an inability to play consecutive short balls. Do be warned however as he is a 97 potential batsman, and may adapt to your plans.]
Ali knew that Shrivastav and Manish would, in the original timeline eventually go on to play for IPL teams, but fail to ever get a chance to actually play in a single match. But what surprised him was the fact that Shrivastav had 97 potential. That was on the level of greats of the game like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and maybe even AB De Villers.
"What would Manish's potential be then? If Shrivastav was 97, then what about him?" Wondered Ali.
Ali asked Anirudh to take the next over. Since Manish was Ali's close friend, this was easily allowed, and Ali then told, "Anirudh, can you please bowl as many short balls as possible? I have an idea."
Anirudh, annoyed after Suraj's antics told, "Why should I listen to you? Sure, Manish might have told that I should bowl, but he didn't tell you to instruct me!"
"Do what you want, I won't stop you." Said Ali, after shrugging.
Over 12, Ball 1: Anirudh began his run up with his usual bowling style, throwing a simple good length straight ball. Shrivastav simply swatted the ball away for 2 runs. Anirudh thought to himself, grateful it wasn't a four.
[Shrivastav 55*(33) | Joshua 15*(15) 113/2]
Ball 2: Anirudh once again switched over to a slow Yorker as was his usual bowling rhythm. The ball was blocked for a dot ball.
[Shrivastav 55*(34) | Joshua 15*(15) 113/2]
Ball 3: Before he bowled the 3rd ball, Anirudh thought, "If my usual tactics won't work, why not try that kid's idea?" He then ran forward again, this time however bowling a short ball, which surprised Shrivastav. He fumbled with his bat and luckily did a back foot defense which surprised Anirudh. Meanwhile at the field, Ali was happily waiting for the wicket of Shrivastav.
[Shrivastav 55*(34) | Joshua 15*(15) 113/2]
Ball 4: Anirudh once gave a shorter turning ball, which Shrivastav desperately tried to send off for a single, but failed as Mohit was ready with his quick hands.
[Shrivastav 55*(34) | Joshua 15*(15) 113/2]
Ball 5: Shrivastav was surprised. How did the Green House team know of his weakness? But he didn't have time to think of this as Anirudh had slightly changed the type of short ball he was bowling, which Shrivastav would have normally read but this time due to his nervousness, was unable to read. This lead to him trying to
use another back foot drive but it was the wrong shot to select, and the ball hit the tip of the bat, before hitting the wicket.
HOWZZAT! Blue House's second batsman and their captain was gone. Anirudh did a vine dance as a celebration, and Suraj jumped onto him in joy before Vasudev scolded him. The 4th batsman, Shantanu came to the pitch with worry in his mind as a gloomy cloud had fallen over the blue house team area.
[Shantanu 0*(0) | Joshua 15*(15) 113/3]
The remaining blue house batsmen were bundled out quickly, with them giving a paltry target of 138, which wasn't expected. This was unfortunate, but the blue house had to forget this breakdown of their batting order and try and defend this target with pride.
A break of 15 minutes was announced, and Zayed came over to Ali, saying, "I'm surprised you actually realized I wasn't the best against spin. What made you think that?"
Ali then said, "Let's just say, I trusted my gut. Maybe you will see more of my ideas later?"
Zayed acknowledged Ali and walked away before saying, "Maybe try to become the school captain. You would be able to do well there." Ali chuckled to himself while thinking, "What if he knew I have a system?"
TO BE CONTINUED