The Promising star

The Cricket tournament

     During that period, there was a tournament conducted in the school called 'The Rajan Cricket Endowment tournament', which used to happen every year in the school. Nearly 4 different schools from different corners of the state enroll themselves in the tournament. Kani's school team coach was preparing his team for the tournament. The previous year, the school cricket team participated in a cricket match held in Sri Lanka and won laurels to the school. Kani couldn't make his presence in that match, due to his public exams. 

    Kani's coach was sticking to the older team. Kani put his utmost effort to get selected in the playing 11. Kani had a good practice in nets session and he asked his senior players to join him in the playing XI of the cricket team. Kani's seniors, who witnessed his previous performances during House matches, had more faith on him and they promised him to keep him in the team. 

    Soon, the match day arrived. Kani's team played against the KVS Higher Secondary School team in their very first match. Kani knew the captain of the opponent team, whose name was Izaar as he belonged to the same area where Kani lived. Also, they had another player named Kani Rajan, a left-hand player, who was also well-known to Kani. Kani's captain then started to write up the main playing 11 of the match. He was interested to pick Kani in the team but the coach said to him to with another player, who had playing experience in the Sri Lankan match previously. But the captain was unmoved with his decision and he convinced the coach by adding Kani's name in the main playing 11. Kani was happy that day. 

    During the match, the Kani's opponent team played well and they managed to put a total of 140 runs on the board. Kani's team, which was led by Poorna, his senior, managed to win the match under their captain's brilliant knock. Poorna played a beautiful flick shot for a massive six in square leg direction, which was marvelous and stunning for everyone watching him at the dugout. 

    They had their next match with the SBOA team. It was a tough team and that team had TNCA (Tamilnadu Cricket Association) player, who had represented the state of Tamilnadu in some cricket matches. Kani's team was determined and confident after their last victory. Kani's school secretary came for tossing the coin during that match. He asked the names of the players from the team captains and wished good luck for both the teams. Soon, he tossed the coin. Kani's team won the toss and they elected to bat first. Rishi opened the innings for Kani's team. He played a brilliant 91 and lost his wicket. His contribution helped the team to score 188 runs at the end of 20 overs. Kani's team then came for bowling. The opponent team was not good at the initial stages of the game and they kept losing their wickets one by one. Soon, came the TNCA player for batting. What a player he was! He changed the momentum of the game to his side. He thundered so many massive sixes around the ground in all directions. Kani's team captain was stunned and he did so many changes but all his moves can't cope up and match with the performance of that one special opponent player. Soon, the last over of the game came. The opponent team needed 15 runs from the final over. The captain had an over left to bowl but he refused to bowl at that point of the game. Some players suggested giving a chance for Kani. 

    But finally, they thought of going with a spin option. Gokul came to bowl the final over for the team. The TNCA player was the man at strike, at that moment, and he managed to score 9 runs from the first five deliveries. Six runs were needed from the last ball. Pressure! Pressure raised everywhere! Gokul came to bowl the last delivery. The umpire signaled Gokul to bowl the delivery outside the stumps-line. Gokul did the same way and the batsman couldn't meet the pitch of the ball in his last delivery. Finally, Kani's team got a victory. 

    They celebrated the victory as a team. Though Kani didn't contribute with his bat and ball during the game, he enjoyed the game and was happy for his team's victory. Then, Kani's team took a group photo with the coach and school secretary. That was one of the precious moments in Kani's life. They even came around the school by holding the trophy in their hands. They shared the victory news to everyone in the school. They also met the Tamil sir Mr. Chandrasekar and expressed their happiness. The Tamil sir congratulated the boys on their win. Also, Kani was the only player who came from Class XI to play in this game. This was one of the special tournaments that Kani had ever played in his life.