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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: India Camp โ€“ Legends, Media & The Storm Ahead

**Day 21 โ€“ National Cricket Academy, Bangalore**

The five chosen warriors arrive.

New jerseys. New rooms. New pressure.

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### ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Media Frenzy

Cameras flash.

Journalists throw questions.

> Reporter: "Aryan Raj, how does it feel to be India's Next-Gen Opener?"

> Aryan (quiet): "It's not done yet."

> Reporter: "Omkar, spin wizard of the trials โ€“ what's next for you?"

> Omkar (calm): "Watch. Learn. Adapt."

Sai, Rehan, Krunal stay silent โ€” the storm of attention new, uncomfortable.

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### ๐Ÿ The Legends Arrive

In walks **Rahul Dravid**, followed by **MS Dhoni**, and surprise entry โ€” **Virat Kohli**.

> Dravid: "Welcome to the real game. You impressed the system. Now impress the world."

> Dhoni (smiling): "Forget the past trials. Hereโ€ฆ you'll break mentally first, then technically."

Kohli stands in front of Aryan.

> Kohli: "You play slow. Safe. That won't win India matches in T20. Are you ready to changeโ€ฆ or be left behind?"

Aryan stares โ€” unsure, but burning inside.

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### ๐Ÿงฉ The India Camp Schedule Revealed

1. **Fitness Test 2.0 โ€“ No Fail Allowed**

2. **Media Handling Drill โ€“ Face the Fire**

3. **International Net Challenge โ€“ Facing Bumrah, Siraj, Kuldeep**

4. **T20 Simulation โ€“ Chasing 200 in 18 Overs**

Failure in any โ€” immediate drop.

Dravid warns:

> "This camp cuts deeper than the Pool League. Your mental walls will shatter. And only the brave will last."

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### ๐Ÿ”ฅ Internal Conflict Brews

- **Sai vs Rehan** โ€“ silent tension. Leadership instincts clash.

- **Omkar vs Krunal** โ€“ spin master vs finisher in the nets.

- **Aryan vs Himself** โ€“ change or stay calm?

Zayaan watches from the fence โ€” not called to camp โ€” seething, plotting for revenge in domestic leagues.

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### ๐ŸŒ‘ Night โ€“ India Camp Dormitory

Aryan sits alone by the window.

Omkar walks in, sits silently.

> Aryan (softly): "They want me to change."

> Omkar: "Changeโ€ฆ only if you want. Not for them."

They nod โ€” a silent pact.

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### ๐ŸŽฏ The First Test โ€“ Tomorrow Morning

6:00 AM โ€“ Fitness Death Drill.

Push-ups. Sprints. Rope climbs.

No limits. No mercy.

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### ๐ŸŽฌ Final Scene โ€“ Coach's Room

Dhoni and Dravid whisper.

> Dhoni: "Kohli's right. Aryan's style needs fire. But force it too soonโ€ฆ and we'll lose him."

> Dravid: "Let him burn in pressure. Fire will form naturally."

They watch the player profiles glowing on the screen.

> "Only threeโ€ฆ maybe fourโ€ฆ will survive this camp."

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๐Ÿ **Next: Chapter 37 โ€“ Fitness Death Drill: The Camp's First Casualty**

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