The next day was Sunday,but Ali woke up early.Quickly washing his teeth and grabbing a quick bite,he raced off to the ground.

He had kept his training a secret from his family.If they came to know, especially his father,he would probably never be allowed to go out again.

Most of the boys had already arrived by the time he reached there.
Rana Sir came up to him.

"You're late."
Ali hung down his head.
"It won't happen again,sir."
"Follow me."
Ali followed him to the center of the ground where the grass had been cut down thoroughly in a long line.Three stumps each were placed at the ends.

"This is the pitch,where the main game takes place.The bowler runs up upto this line,which is called a crease,and bowls to the batsman who is standing at the other end.The distance between them is exactly 22 yards.Okay?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good.Now give me one hundred pushups."

Ali's face fell."One hundred?"
"Yes."

Ali laid down on the grass and started.
By the time he reached thirty-five,he was already panting.He sat up.

Rana Sir raised an eyebrow.
"Sixty-five more to go."

Ali panted."Sir,it's impossible to do one hundred at one stretch.If I could take a break..."
Rana Sir's face hardened.

"Fitness is the first requirement of a sportsperson.Every game requires  lots of physical stamina and strength.A cricketer needs strength, stamina, speed and agility if he has to succeed.No excuses boy.Now start."

Ali started again,but could barely do ten more before he sat up again.

Rana Sir was going to say something reprimanding when a voice interrupted him.
"Sir,it's his first day.He needs a little time to adjust."
Ali looked up to see Manoj standing beside him.
Rana Sir's face softened a little."Ten minutes."as he walked off.

Exhausted,Ali sat down on a bench.Manoj handed him a bottle of water,which Ali took with a thankful smile.
"Is he always like this?"he grumbled,as he took a sip of water.

Manoj laughed."Sir?Yeah.Gosh, he's going light on you since it's your first day.You should just see him after you spend a few months here.Do you know what he made me do on my first day?"

Ali shook his head.

"He made me do one hundred pushups.After that I had to circumnavigate the perimeter thrice,which by the way,isn't as easy as it looks.Then catch practice for an hour.Boy my legs were so worn out that I was wondering that why didn't they fall off."

Both of them laughed.

"How old are you,Ali?"
"Sixteen."
"Cool.Me too.But you look younger."

Ali changed the subject.
"Do you go to school?"
Manoj nodded.
"How is it like?"
"Don't ask.Its extremely annoying, boring and irritating.You have to spend five hours sitting in a classroom listening to the lectures of old yokes.Not all of them are bad though,"he added."But it's school,and it's fun."

Ali nodded."That's something I'll never know."

"MANOJ!"Rana Sir's voice boomed.Manoj's face wrinkled.

"STOP CHATTING THERE AND DO WHAT YOU ARE HERE TO DO."

"Coming,Sir."He turned to Ali."See you later."
"Same here."
As Manoj ran off,Rana Sir came up to him.
"Rested enough?"
"Yes,sir."
"Good,now run alongside the walls of the ground thrice."

A smile tugged at Ali's lips.

Some things never change.

The rest of the time passed quickly.Although dog-tired,Ali was quite enjoying it.The catch practice was difficult,and he had to run hundred metres every time he missed a catch,with Rana Sir yelling,
"STOP,AND YOU WILL HAVE TO DO A HUNDRED MORE."

Two hours passed, and Ali was completely out of breath.Rana Sir came up to him.

"Well,you quite surpassed yourself.I must say I'm quite pleased with your efforts.Keep it up and you can fulfill your dream."
Ali offers him a weak smile."Thank you,Sir."
"Well,it's time now.I suppose you will be leaving?"

Ali nodded."My family doesn't know about this ,sir."
Rana Sir shrugged.
"Well then,off you go."

Ali walked out of the ground, satisfied with his training and vowing to come back the next day.