TAKE 11 - The Gaming Voltage

3 years ago

mysticaltales11111

@mysticltales111

Hellooooo Guysssssssss....

Hope you and your family all are Safe and Sound amidst the rising Covid Tsunami in India. Stay in and Stay Safe - Guysss!!🙏🙏🙏🙏

So Yup here I am on Monday(a day prior thanschedule)with the next update off HW3.0.😉😉😉🤗🤗❤❤ And guys - yes - originally - as per my update outline - this Update on shades of Voltage had a lot more to it. But then when I finished writing these gaming scenes - I felt like wanting to post is a StandAlone - Gaming Chapter - given that it already came upto 5K words to. I didn't want to mix the Voltages of Gaming and Emotions in one because I want both to stand out in their moments! So yup - today I am going ahead with posting - The Gaming Voltage! Dedicated to my love for the game...hehe...winks..

Word Count - Short- Medium- 5K Words.✍✍👩‍💻👩‍💻

Taking some hours off to just Write this Out finally has truly been my Respite in taking my Mind Off - Everything Covid! And I truly hope - that you are able to experience some distraction and entertainment through the Story Too🤗❤🙏

Will be Eager to know your feedback on the Same!

Thank you so very much guys* Infinity for all your Support to my Work till now! It truly means so much to me!🤗🤗🤗🤗✍✍✍👩‍💻👩‍💻👩‍💻👩‍💻

Also, yes this is the First Draft. Please definitely ignore editing/common repition of words errors etc - since I have not proofread.

And I shall now let you all dive in without Further Delay.

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The Moral Right of the Author has been asserted. All Rights Reserved. This Story is published subject to the condition that it shall not be reproduced or transmitted/distributed in whole or in part, in any manner, whether in electronic or in hard copy, without the written consent of the author, and any infringement of this is a violation of Copyright Law.

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TAKE 11 - The Gaming Voltage

16 More Days Later

21st March, 2019

Southampton, England

Pre: context into the Test Match Series: With India winning the first match and England winning the second one - both the teams had reached Nottingham on the 6th of March, equally geared up because the scores of the series were levelled. The preparation and training to get set for the 3rd Test started from the very next day in full swing given that both the units only had a couple of days in hand before the game began. The third test was scheduled to be played at the Iconic Trent Bridge Stadium, Nottingham - in between 9th -13 of March and both India and England were looking to edge their way forward and take that substantial lead by winning the - third test match.

However - as the gaming gods would have had it - a specific result of who was going to lead the Test Series by the end of the Third Test Match - wasn't meant to be a clear give way, for the nail-biting competition in between ball and bat that went on for five days in Nottingham - went on to be - a Draw.(A result which is only possible - in the longest format off the game - i.e - Test Cricket. For if the opposition is not able to get the other side completely out in their second innings within the time duration of play by the End of Day 5 - then the match will be declared a Draw. A Draw - is a result - sometimes Skippers of cricketing unit look to play towards in order to avoid a loss/risk losing a series when a win seems too monumental a task to achieve. Because the situation of a Draw is neutral - it basically means - no one won/no one lost.)

The task on Day 5 for India on the 13th of March was a monumental one too. For England had won the toss in the third test match and gone in to bat first and even though the scores were level after the first two innings of both the teams with no team having any advantage over the other - the second innings of England had been an impressive one where in they went onto score a total of 350 runs by the time, they were finally bowled out by the end of the last session on Day 4. They did not declare their innings prior. (Declaration in a test match is a process that allows the team batting first to declare their innings even if they haven't been bowled out completely in case the team feels that they have too many runs in their kitty already and the time of play at hand is running out. Because if the other side does not complete their innings - the match will head to a Draw. Declaration is a strategy used by teams to avoid the situations of a Draw and to drive a conclusive result of the game)

England's decision to not declare their innings prior had left many gaming experts wondering and questioning the decision - but then many also thought that the team's intention was simple.This was their home turf - they wanted to display their batting prowess until the very minute they would be bowled out. For Test Cricket is often all about mindgames, strategies that take off field. England knew anything above 350 as a target was going to seem daunting to chase on the last day of the Test Match but then given India's strong batting line up - they also knew that India would come out on that last day to play the game with the approach of an ODI.However at the same time they also knew - that the pitch surface was that off a Day 5 of test cricket which meant that the pitch would have slowed down in its assistance to the batters - a reason why they felt confident that their ace pacers would be able to bowl out India.

However - India came prepped for that last day of the Test Match with their own counter strategies. The minute the opening batsmen had evaluated how the pitch was playing slow and offering zero assistance - they knew they had to rethink and balance out their decision of playing aggressive. Because playing aggressive shots would put them on the risk of losing wickets. The change in gaming plan was discussed in the first time out. Play aggressive to score as many runs as possible until the loss of 5 wickets and if they still had a target of 150 plus runs up on board by the time only five wickets remained - switch to play defensive. Block the ball - tire the bowlers out - just play slow until the end of the last session of the Day's Play.

And this was the strategy that helped India - reach that situation of a Draw. For they were 200 -5 in the middle of the second session. And they ended the test match with 275 - 5 by the end of the day - as the Indian Skipper along with ASR as his partner on the other end - played the defend and block strategy in a perfect tandem - to deny England their victory.

Even though the Draw of the Third Test match was a Neutral result - it was something that was welcomed and applauded by the Indian gaming experts and fans - because it meant that the chance at the Series win was still alive! If England had won that third match the result would have read 2-1. And even if India went on to win the fourth the result of the series would have been tied. 2-2.

And the above gaming situation also meant that the excitement with regards to the Fourth Test Match was at an all time high again given then it was the Decider of the Series Result.Test Cricket fans from all across England - booked their seats at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton for the final test match which was scheduled to be played in between of 17- 21st March in Southampton in sheer anticipation and excitement.

But once again as the cricketing gaming gods would have had it - the Final Test Match was also meant to go down to the last wire. The final test match in between of England and India - began with India winning the toss and choosing to bat in first. Just like the very first test match - their performance with the bat in the first innings was dominating as they scored - 335 runs. England managed to score 235 runs in their first innings until they were bowled out giving India a lead off 100 runs in the bank. India's second innings saw them scoring another 270 runs and even though before the end of the fourth day's play they had not been bowled out - it was an unanimous decision to declare their innings at 270 runs because they wanted to avoid a draw again. They decided to give England the last hour of the last session on Day 4 to play with too - setting them up to chase the massive target of - 370 runs because of the prior lead added in the total too. India was looking to claim in early wickets in that last hour given that the England's players had - had an otherwise long day in the field - prior. And India managed to succeed in doing just that for by the end of the Day 4's play - England was 40 - 2 (having lost both their openers by the end of day's play and leaving them with the target off a massive 330 runs on the last day with just 8 wickets in hand)

But - the amazing display of batting - expressed by England's middle order + Skipper on the last day of the Test Match - left everybody in the stands in hope for the win too. India had managed to take wickets in regular intervals yes - but not before - a substantial batsmen partnership continued to add more runs on the board for England.

Which brings us back to the present moment in Time - which is 4:50 PM - UK Time - on the 21st March(Day 5 of the fourth Test Match)which means there are ideally just ten minutes left for the day's play (Which the Umpires can extended by an additional 15 minutes margin if they feel a win/loss result is possible) - and England are 361 - 7. They just need 10 runs to win the match/series and India needs to take the last three wickets.

The pressure is High - on both the sides on field as off now plus on the fans most of whom are biting their nails off in gaming anticipation at the stands of the Ageas Bowl, Southampton - hoping for England to win. Some are celebrating England's victory already.They are the favourites at Home Turf - Obviously.

One would say that - the Gaming Odds are in England's favour - too.Just 10 more runs needed for the win with 3 wickets still intact in hand.

But's that's just how it is in Cricket - ladies and gentleman - you know never know how the game swings towards the end.

For - it's never really Over until that last Ball.

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On the Field - Ageas Bowl, Cricket Ground - Southampton

On the Field - Ageas Bowl, Cricket Ground - Southampton

Arnav's POV

There are certain moments in my life on field - that I find myself being consumed with immense gaming voltage. As if all the wires within my system were totally consumed in the intense gaming electricity of the moment.

And today - right very now - is one of those moments of-course.

We are in a tricky situation on field. England's still got their three wickets intact Daksh just bowled in the fifth ball of his over and the batters managed to sneak in a single. England need only 8 runs to win and ideally only 7 minutes of play remain too now. But if these players block and defend - it could extend over for a little while given its so close.Daksh has been very good this over under immense pressure. He's only given away 2 runs and the other three have been dots.

Daksh's just gestured me to come in for a talk to him from my fielding position at Mid-Wicket, which is where Cap has me placed in the hope off a leap up - Catch out incase they abtsmen on crease try to aim for a four - over mid-wicket.

Ved's talking to Skip behind the wickets too in a momentary discussion - gesturing to both Daksh and me that he will be coming up to talk to us in a second.

We don't have much time on moments like this in the middle for discussions which is why I begin to walk up alongside Daksh as he is making his run up.

Daksh lets out a worried curse under his breath as he adds - " godammit...If we can't defend this one brother - Cap's going to get the crap from the entire nation back at home for declaring. They'd be like - if only he declared ten runs later.And ofcourse the fact that we as a bowling unit will get thrashed to the dumps is another story altogether, but that's secondary. I am going to be bummed up myself if we aren't able to defend the massive total off 370 runs..ASR..."

Well- I know what he means. We are all going to be bummed out. As of now - four of us main bowlers - have 2 wickets to our name this innings. I haven't got a wicket today. Claimed both of England's openers yesterday before the end of play. Today the pitch has offered assistance to fast pace if any at all. I haven't been able to pull through the mix of spin + medium pace swing given the surface conditions too.

But now is not the time to think of the Result. Now is the time to tackle the tricky question on hand.

I say now to Daksh - " I know what you mean...Daksh..but no...lets not worry about the result.. lets tackle the tricky question on hand first...and you just don't be disheartened at all - its been a brilliant over - just 2 runs 3 dots you are about to bowl in the last ball of the over..."

Daksh nods seriously the gaming voltage consuming all of him too - " yes which is why I called you over, I am in two minds either go in to aim for a yorker again which gives us a dot/clean bowls him - either go in for a wide yorker just wide enough to be safe and to trick the batsmen to try mishit it? because if it's a dot that doesnt clean bowl- it won't get us a wicket...the swingers aren't just getting me the desired result right now..what do you suggest??we can't send them into the next over with three wickets intact..it's nearing end of play.. almost..."

I nod deep in thought looking back to observe the batsmen on crease. He's the one who is set. His jittery body language tells me he is getting impatient - given that they are just 8 runs away from victory. He wants to finish this off - quick.This is where the art of perception comes in to help me in the games.

I look back at Daksh as I whisper - " wide yorker brother - but just safe enough to not result in a wide - he will look to hit it for sure, he is getting impatient but given that he won't be able to go for a boundary on the wide yorker - we can trap a run out - given that I am sure he is going to call his partner in for a run...he is impatient, there's no chance he won't hit it or not run.."

Daksh smiles a little at that - "thank god for your perception skills brother...okay..wide yorker it is...cover me up? At silly point? I am going to gesture Ved/Skip to station you there from Mid On.."

Right then Ved comes in to join us as he says - " okay Daksh - Skip says - follow your gut and execute whatever your mind tells you too..,"and he pauses - " ASR you are next - Skip is going to give you the next over..."

I nod.

Daksh nods and quickly fills Ved in on the strategy we planned and Ved nods seriously and gestures to Skip from across that he will take my position up on Mid -Wicket and would be sending me upto Silly Point.

Cap nods and we all exchange a determined nod and I adjust my cap up on my head and pace upto Silly Point as Daksh begins to get ready to bowl in.

And as we planned - he bowls in a wide yorker - and as anticipated the batsmen takes a mishit at it nonetheless and calls for a run. I spot the ball beginning to race at a 30 degree angle away from my position at Silly Point which is why I dive in to the side straight to collect it and aim it back at the Stumps, before I lose the balance of my feet and risk it from affecting the aim of my throw.

And just as I see the ball hit the stumps - and the other batsmen is far away from making it across - I can't help but jump up on my feet in Gleee - all pumped Up!

We all go crazy in celebrations - for we all know that's Out even thought the Umpire's checking it again on the screen! And the minute the signal - OUT does come up on scream - we all can't help but celebrate again.

They still need 8 runs to win and we still need to take two wickets.

Yeah as Intense as it gets - as players - moments like these fire us UP.

Skip hands me the ball now as he says - " go up next my boy..ill say the exact message what I passed to Daksh - go with your instinct...back yourself up...don't worry about the runs they need - only think about the two wickets you need...we can do this - we got the ability to pull this off - we just need to back our strengths - it's never over until it's over - okay brother??"

I nod at him - " thanks Skip.."

His faith in us as a bowling unit - in such an intense moment in the middle of the game like this is exactly what keeps us going. He believes in each of us - come what may! Incase we arent able to pull it off he will always be like - "learn from this and aim to pull it off next time..boys..."

I nod at him again and I say - " I am thinking what I wana execute on my way up my run up Cap - I will gesture you if I want field changes from across? K??"

Cap nods and pats my shoulders and begins to walk up to his stand behind the wickets.

I begin to walk my way up the run up and Ved comes next to me and wraps his arms around my shoulder - " I could combust with high gaming voltage that's how freaking charged up I am - I wana tell you the exact bit that Cap said - back your gut..."

I nod at him as I say - " Ved - the pitch is not offering any assistance to my traditional spin - it won't freaking work - ill just get hit for runs instead - given that it's the set batsmen I will be bowling too given the over change...I gotta do something with pace only... plus given the significant change from fast to medium - I think I wana try going in for a cutter - play with flight? He'll read it and will walk out the crease to play his shot early perhaps? either clean bowled or catch out is what I am aiming for? fielding positions gotta be aggressive..if we get this wicket the next batsmen on crease will be fresh...I can look to trap him LBW..."

Ved nods in an instant understanding - " two slips, gully and a mid off + mid on around enough??"

I nod at him - "yeah should be okay given that Skip would want the boundaries + the middle guarded too.."

Ved nods at me and he gestures the field changes to Cap from across and he gets them in place and I say to him looking out - "oh great - Cap's got Raunak in at Gully - he's excellent at that position - Sameer is perfect for the first slip - and you going in to the second slip then??"

Ved nods with a nod and as I watch the rest of everyone in the team take their position - I nod at Ved determined and he takes his position back on field.

And I begin my Run Up - totally consumed with the current of high gaming voltage.

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In the Stands

Khushi's POV

I can't keep Calm.

Nope.

I just Can't.

Given the situation up on field and Arnav getting set to bowl in this over. Once again, he is in the middle of a hardcore pressure situation and I am having a hard time putting up a straight pace around my unit.

I sip on some water from my bottle as Mum says now excited with her gaming excitement - " Adams - you are set on 45 - you gotta freaking hit this one - we are 8 runs away..that's all...you can do this..."

Uh - oh.

I kind off feel guilty for not siding with Mum whole-heartedly on this. How can I? Given that - its Arnav up on the other end.

Mum's got the entire medical team up on their feet in anticipation too. Everyone in our admin unit is up on feet too - I am the only one on my seat still and Stace adds now nudging me - " oh come on Khushi...stand up...ASR is running up to bowl...Adam's going to hit this one...,"and she pulls me up taking my hand in hers.

I stand up and as I see the ball leave Arnav's hand and his face being absorbed in the gaming intensity in anticipation - I can't help but hope that he get's Adams Out- instead.

Oh Boy.

Adam does hit the ball but given that we all see it fly straight into the hands off Raunak up at the gully fielding point - everyone yells out in dismay - "Nooooooo....No........freaking....Noooooooooooo...Adam...no......"

Yes.

Freaking Yessssssss!

Arnav got Him!

And once again - I am the only one in the stands whose having difficulty controlling my smile.

Oops.

I am supposed to keep a straight disappointed face. I try to pull it off with great difficulty. My Insides are going all Wild in massive celebration like Arnav is going on field right now with the rest of the Indian unit.

Mum adds groaning - " oh - ASR just freaking pulled off that medium paced stunner cutter from his sleeve to deceive him into mistiming it - godammit..."

Everyone around in the support unit groans too - " oh why does it have to be ASR again?? he just freaking pulled off that run out - why cant he be off the field in moments like this?? We mean - just get him off...why does he have to be all where the action is....I mean - remember how he blocked and defended in the previous match along with his Skipper - freaking pulled up that Draw..."

Dawson Sir groans as he adds - " this boy... sneaky clever ASR...is a gamechanger..for India...as much as I hate to admit it - I have to say sometimes I wish he was British - so that we had him in our team instead....look at that happiness on his face - he knows now that both the batsmen up on crease are fresh and our tail enders - immense pressure moment - he knows he's got the momentum shifted..."

I bite back my chuckle with great difficulty and I nod and say keeping up a straight face - " you are right about the latter Sir - given the way the crowds stunned all around...except for the Indian fans going beserk cheering..."

Just like my Insides.I add to myself Silently.

Stacey sighs in dismay - " look at everyones expressions up in our players dug out below - they can't believe it too as Andy is stepping out on ground right now...Adam's cross with himself - given the way he just threw his bat on the chair..."

A minute later - Dawson Sir adds now - " okay - here he bowls in the next ...,"and he groans in disappointment as he adds - " oh no - that's OUT - LBW - he's trapped Andy LBW - he's flush plump up in front of the middle stump...it's over...it's over...no point taking that last review Andy...it's over..."

The Indian unit on the field goes crazy and berserk in celebrations and Arnav's so freaking stoked that he just jumped upon Ved and Daksh together - in complete Glee. He know's its Over. They know they have won it.

Yup. They Have.

The Umpires just confirmed It.

The Majority of the Crowd is Stunned. Except for the Indian's fans who have been jolted up with the Voltage of Victory. Just like my Insides.Again.

Mum sits back on the chair dejected - " just 8 runs...I can't believe we lost this and the test series ...it was so close......I can't believed they pulled off this victory from right under our nose....Dawson you are right...that sneaky clever ASR - he is a gamechanger...indeed..."

Oops.

Guys.

The dejected expression on Mum's face makes me feel guilty for cheering and basking in the voltage of victory.

I put my hand across her shoulder - " oh Mum...it's okay...its okay..look it was an amazing competition in between the bat and ball right?? Isn't this the beauty of the vintage test match format you love?? I mean all the four test matches went down to the last day - last session like how amazing is that for a thrill of sport entertainment for a Test Match.. I mean everyone was on the edge of their seats right? just like they are in T20 and ODI - this was amazing as a clash in the Test Series - nonetheless??"

Mum nods as she pats my hand - " yeah - Hun...you are right about that...anyways..lets get going down to chat up with our players - its going to be difficult for them to swallow this one.."

I nod and we all get up and begin to make our way down as a support group towards our team's player dug out. And even then - a part of my head is secretly wishing that Arnav gets awarded as the player of the series given his amazing performance all through out. He has claimed 28 wickets(highest by any bowler beating our ace pacer whose had 27 wickets to his name) and has even scored 300 runs for his Team along with that epic aggression in fielding too - these Four Match Test Series.

See guys - everyone around me is gulping down shades of disappointment and all I can think off is biting back my smile and be super stoked for Arnav still.

Yup.

That's how deep he's Invaded my being. Don't get me wrong - I am not complaining at all.

I am the one who opened the gates of my Fort to this Charming Invader - after all.

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A While Later

On the Field

As the post-match + series ceremony continues.The England/Indian players were on either sides. The presenter's had finished interviewing the England Skipper before going on with the rest of the ceremony.

All the players in the Indian Unit continue with their happy celebrations and they each bite back their happy smiles as they nudge their mate ASR to get on to the podium as his name is called to receive the Player of the Series Award for his excellent performance in all three departments combined + the fact that he was the highest wicket taker + that he just became the first Indian bowler to beat the record of a legendary Indian senior bowler from the past off claiming 27 wickets in a Four Match test Series - by taking one More Wicket- his total wickets being 28!

Arnav exchanges a happy grin with his unit plus his Skipper who had always been his inspiration and hugs him before walking up.

Ved - who was just walking across after collecting his award for being the highest run scorer this test match series - beating England's No 3 batsmen to the award by over a margin of 20 runs - hugs his close friend - Arnav happily on the way back, before joining the rest of the unit.

The presenter gives Arnav a smile as he says - "come up here close for us - will you please ASR?and tell us what's that you'v got sewed up that arm of yours first? Some gold..surely??"

Arnav chuckles at that warmly as he says into the mike - "just the usual flesh, bones and blood like yours Sir - no gold at all...,"and he pats amusingly looks up his right arm and chuckles patting it with his other hand - " yeah...am sure..just checked again - the usual flesh and blood and bones and yes I forgot to mention..some..muscles - too"

The presenter grins - "and that's just you being your jovial self...as always ASR...tell us do those muscles sore at all??"

Arnav chuckles - " oh yes they do - they surely do? Ask my team of physio's - I whine quite significantly when they sore..."

The presenter plus everyone in the Indian unit + support unit bites back their chuckles at that and the presenter adds happily - " lets ask your Skipper for confirmation on that...,"and he looks out at Captain Dev and asks - " Cap - D is he telling us the truth? Does he whine when those muscles sore??"

Cap - D chuckles and nods - " yeah - he does - just like I do when my muscles get all sore from the intense keeping.."

Everyone chuckles happily at that.And the presenter asks Arnav again - "so... let's start with talking about today before we get to that bit about your performance this series...so..just when England thought they had this in control...you knocked off the bails with that run out first and then those back-to-back wickets changing the course off direction off your team straight out of the shackles of defeat towards - victory...tell us how happy are you right now??"

Arnav smiles at that warmly as he adds - "I am elated that I could contribute to my team..,"and with that Arnav continues to give a jovial+ grounded interview how its always been the Team for him above his personal milestones and he also thanked his Skipper, Vice-Captain, for their conviction and trust in his ability under pressure moments and he congratulated all off his team - mates - for their wonderful performances as well - which according to him when all put all together was what lead the Team - to Victory.

And everyone around in the Indian Unit+ Support Unit couldn't help but smile and beam happily at that.

In the Stands - standing alongside the England Support Team unit - Khushi was having a hard time containing her expressions.

After the end of his interview - the Indian Skipper - was called on for his interview as Captain and before everyone in the unit grouped up together in a huddle as they were awarded the Test Series - Trophy and they all continued to hoot and celebrate and bask as a unit in the Voltage of Victory.

After a while - as the celebrations on field subdued a little as the numerous photo sessions came to an end - Arnav felt his mind wander to the one woman who continued to invaded his being deeply and steadily - in the last two weeks. He felt his eyes ache to see Khushi. He knew she was probably basking in happiness for him within and was having a hard time keeping up a straight up face on cover - live in the stands with England's support Unit - during those last minutes of the match.

Yup.

He was sure that all he needed now was to head towards the dressing rooms so that he could steal some glances at her from across.He just needed to get one look at Her even if it was from a far off distance.Why? Because until he didn't - these Victory Celebrations would just continue to just feel- INCOMPLETE.

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TADAAAAAA!!

How was That Guysssssssss?? I Hope you all enjoyed reading this update dedicated to the Gaming Thrill. I absolutely loved penning down these gaming moments for this was my first shot trying to imagine what would be going through a bowlers head given these pressure moments + all the chat around bowling strategy given that preciously iv always written from the batters angle in the middle of the games😉🏏

Next Update : Will try to give one tomorrow - given that I split this otherwise Longer update.

Take 11.1 - The Voltage of Emotions.

The reason why I wanted to post this update as a Stand Alone was also because - I did not want to overshadow the Voltage of the Gaming Thrill with the Voltage of Emotions that is coming up Next.(Hehe..hehe...)

Stay Tuned In Guys! I will see you tomorrow!

Until Then - Please take care and Stay Indoors and Safe guys!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Thanks, Guys, for all the Support and your Precious Time to my Work!

Much Love

Always

❤

Prachi

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