The morning of the trials arrived quietly.
Rudra woke before the alarm, dressed without turning on the lights, and stretched in the hall. His father, Mahesh Rao, was already awake, reading the newspaper with his glasses low on his nose.
"Eat slowly," Mahesh said, without looking up.
Rudra nodded.
In the kitchen, his mother Saraswati Rao packed food carefully—two bananas, soaked almonds, and a small steel bottle of water. She pressed the lid shut more firmly than necessary.
"Call if you feel tired," she said.
"I will," Rudra replied.
They both knew he wouldn't.
Cubbon Park District Ground
The ground was busy when they arrived.
Boys in white kits filled the practice area—some tall and muscular, others lean and restless. Parents lined the boundary, whispering names and expectations.
Near the pavilion stood the selectors:
Raghavendra Shetty — senior district selector, calm eyes, quiet authority
Anil Kulkarni — former Ranji player, sharp gaze, quick notes
Joseph Fernandez — school-cricket coordinator, watching movement more than shots
No smiles.
No introductions.
Just observation.
Warm-Up & Sprints
"Line up," Anil Kulkarni called.
The boys ran short sprints across the grass.
Rudra ran beside Rahul Iyer (St. Merry's) and Kunal Mehta (FTS feeder academy). Rahul started fast and slowed sharply. Kunal overpushed and lost rhythm.
Rudra didn't change pace.
Raghavendra Shetty marked something on his clipboard.
Batting Nets
Rudra was sent to Net Three.
Bowling to him was Sameer Qureshi, a tall right-arm quick from DPS, and later Arvind Patil, a strong off-spinner from BGS.
The pace was heavier than school matches.
Rudra defended.
Left well.
Played straight.
Rotated strike when allowed.
Sameer glanced back after a solid block.
Arvind frowned when his flight was ignored.
Joseph Fernandez leaned forward slightly.
Fielding Drills
High catches came next.
One dropped by Nikhil Rao (SAM Public).
Another rushed throw by Aakash Verma (JNV).
Rudra moved early, settled under the ball, and caught cleanly.
From deep cover, he picked up and threw—flat, one bounce, stumps hit.
Anil Kulkarni nodded once.
No praise.
At the Boundary
Saraswati Rao stood apart from the other parents.
Beside her were mothers calling instructions, fathers discussing selectors' preferences.
She said nothing.
Her hands were folded. Her eyes never left Rudra.
Each time he turned toward the boundary, she was there—still, silent, watching.
Her worry didn't show as fear.
It showed as restraint.
Final Drill
"Last round," Raghavendra Shetty said.
Throw. Sprint. Catch. Repeat.
Some boys slowed visibly.
Varun Khanna (FTS) finished fast but breathing hard.
Rahul Iyer bent forward after the sprint.
Rudra wasn't fresh—but his posture held. His breathing recovered quickly.
"Enough," Joseph Fernandez said.
Clipboards closed.
Waiting
The boys were told to sit near the nets.
Names would be called later.
Rudra drank water beside Arjun Malhotra (NITK) and Kunal Mehta.
"No idea how it went," Arjun whispered.
Rudra didn't answer.
He looked once toward the boundary.
His mother met his eyes and nodded—small, steady, trusting.
No questions.
No pressure.
Rudra leaned back on his palms, legs stretched, heartbeat calm.
This decision was no longer his to influence.
And for the first time, that felt acceptable.
Because today, the selectors hadn't seen hope or hype.
They had seen truth.
And whatever names were called next—
His effort had already spoken.