As Glenn McGrath's hologram came to life, the training dome flickered. His legendary presence required no introduction; he was tall, calm, and razor-focused. His piercing blue eyes met Arjun's. No grin. No theatrical.
"Let's get started," Glenn said in his cool, distinctive Australian accent.
Arjun straightened up a bit. Although Glenn spoke softly, his eyes were surgical, analyzing every inch of intent, grip, and posture.
McGrath gestured to the crease and said, "Show me your natural delivery."
Jogging in, Arjun let it rip. The ball missed the virtual stumps by a large margin as it angled down leg side.
Sania gave a quiet laugh.
She teasingly said, "Oof, second-hand Mohammad Asif."
Glenn furrowed his brow without grinning. "Avoid mindlessly copying other people. No two elite fast bowlers perform the same moves. They do have one thing in common: rhythm and a technique that suits them.
After pausing, he continued, "Asif is a fine bowler." He has Excellent swing and control. However, you must take responsibility for your actions if you want to bowl more quickly, accurately, and sustainably.
Then McGrath came forward to demonstrate.
The grip comes first. The seam ought to be straight. The seam underneath is supported by the thumb's side. Evenly space the middle and index fingers along the seam. Don't make it too tight. It should feel as though the ball is an extension of your hand.
As he spoke, he rotated the ball in his hand, causing the holographic seam to shine in the illumination.
"You have to be consistent in your action whether you're bowling with cutters, seams, or swings. Accuracy is a fast bowler's most deadly weapon, and consistency breeds accuracy. The batter is under pressure. causes mistakes.
However, Glenn stated that technique is not about looking pretty. The goal is to avoid injuring yourself. You're good if your hips and shoulders remain in alignment, your front foot lands facing the target, and your back foot provides good body support.
He gave Sania a quick look. "Do you have internet access here?"
"Obviously," she smiled.
Then watch Allan Donald. Easy. Rhythmical and balanced. His front foot, shoulders, and hips were all pointing in the exact direction he wanted the ball to go.
From the turf, Glenn picked up a marker cone.
"It's usually rhythm, if your deliveries keep drifting to leg or go crazy like a spray gun. It's your run-up or body mechanics, not necessarily your pace or line. This is a basic drill: Put this plastic cone on your head and perform your action. We'll be able to determine where your body is losing balance if it falls off."
Arjun blinked. "Really?"
"Very serious," Glenn answered.
After putting the cone on his head, Arjun started to run up.
It fell after four steps.
"You're running because you have to, not with rhythm," Glenn said loudly. "It's not a sprint to bowl. It's a dance. Flow with your body."
Then the breakdown started.
"Run-up: Needs to be straight and fluid. No jerks, no zigzag.
Delivery Stride: Lean forward and use your weight, not just your arm strength, to propel the ball.
Arm Action: should be swift and straight. Your release point and direction will be messed up by a cross-arm motion.
Release Point: Must always be the same. You learn control that way.
Follow-through: After releasing, keep your balance and body line. Finish with a sense of purpose.
After a while, Glenn remarked, "You have energy, but no anchor." Your mind outruns your body. And that's not how great bowlers operate."
Then he grabbed a ball.
No build-up. One fluid motion only. The ball flew out of his hand, and it smashed onto the top of a virtual batter's off-stump. It was a surgical procedure. clinical.
That's the location. Not on the stump. The fourth stump. The battle is won there. Get the batter to think. Again And Again. Until he misses it or edges it.
Once more, Arjun took the ball. He bowled over and over. Adjusting. Adapting. failing. Fixing.
Just one delivery. His body was skewed too much to the right, and the cone fell.
One more. His non-bowling arm fell inward as the ball drifted.
Straighten your hand. Glenn said, "Balance the load."
Again.
"Stay still. Shoulders in line
Again.
As she observed Arjun's sweat-drenched perseverance under Glenn's composed yet unyielding guidance, even Sania fell silent.
As evening drew near, the dome lights grew a little dimmer. Sweat-soaked, Arjun stood atop his mark. One last delivery.
He again took his position. Balanced and easy. The cone did not move. The release was clean.
Just outside off, the ball pitched. Off-stump's top lit up.
At last, McGrath gave a nod.
He remarked, "That's rhythm." "We can now expand upon it."
Like a school bell ringing at the end of a long day, Sania's voice resounded.
"All right! That's sufficient for today. We delve deeper tomorrow.
Grinning wearily, Arjun fell to the grass. Though he remained silent, he was aware that something had changed.
He had found a heartbeat in his bowling.