At 6:30 AM, the schedule was announced:
"Trial Match – Squad Aegis vs. Squad Vanta
Format: T20
Location: National Arena, Grid West
Match Visibility: Open – Analysts & Scouts Present
Captains: Unofficial
Leadership Evaluation In Effect."
No coin toss.
No pre-match introductions.
Just a blunt system reminder: Leadership will be judged by visibility, performance, and team alignment — not by voice alone.
Raj read the message once.
Then laced his boots with silent precision.
This wasn't about securing a role anymore.
It was about securing presence — without needing to prove it.
Squad Vanta was infamous.Three flamboyant players who competed for screen time.
An alpha wicketkeeper with a chip on his shoulder.
And their unofficial lead: Veer Bhardwaj — a power-hitter known for breaking bowling lines and locker room decorum.
He thrived on tension.
And Raj?
He disappeared into it.
The match began sharp at 10:00.
