Three Mistakes of My Life by Chetan Bhagat

'So you agree?'
'Four balls, no more. After the match. Stay nearby,' Fred said and loped back
to his seat. 'And you better hope Australia wins so I remain in a good mood to
keep my promise.'
Ish's smile froze. I can't do that. I can't wish against India.'
'Kidding mate. You guys are better at emotions. But we take the-piss better,'
Fred winked.
Half the Aussie lingo was beyond me, but we smiled anyway.
'Call our friend, we need him,' I said firmly to the guard.
Two minutes later, Omi joined us. He came in so thirsty he grabbed Ali's drink.
'What the hell were you guys doing? 1 waited two hours?'
'Making friends,' I said, smiling back at Fred as Australia hit a four.
Australia won the match, but Ish didn't have time for remorse. He had to pad
up Ali.
We came to the ground half an hour after the final match ceremonies.
'He is a pace bowler.' Ish turned to Ali, 'Do you want a helmet?'
Ali shook his head.
'Wear it.' Ish strapped the helmet on to Ali's head.
'Ready, mate?' Fred called from the bowler's end.
Ali nodded. Ish took the wicketkeeper's place. Fred took a ten-step run-up with
a ferocious expression. The ball zoomed past Ali. Ish stepped back to catch it.
'Gifted?' Fred said to me as he prepared another run-up.
'Hey, what's up Ali?' Ish said.
'I cannot see. The ball is white. And the foreigner makes scary faces.'
'Ignore the face. Look at the ball,' Ish said as he pulled out the helmet. Omi ran
to adjust the black screen on the boundary.
Fred bowled a perfect second delivery. Ali struck this time. The bat deflected
the ball forty-five degrees. The ball stayed low but did not bounce until it crossed
the boundary. Six.
'Bloody hell! Where did that come from?' Fred said.
'Two more balls,' I said. I was aware of what was happening inside Fred's head.
The feeling of being trampled, mutiliated and vanquished by a mere boy had only
begun.
Fred's third ball went for a four and the last one for a six. His face looked more
humiliated than scary. And no matter how many times he said 'mate', his tone
had turned from calm to anxious. He looked like someone who had been shaken
of all his convictions about cricket.
'How did he do that?' Fred muttered, tugging at his curly hair.
We looked at Ali. He sat down on the floor and held his head.
'You ok?' Ish said. The pressure had gotten to Ali. 'What's up?' Fred said.
'Being extra focused takes a lot out of him. He needs to recoup after a few big
hits. I taught him to play a full innings in the neighbourhood but today...'
'Stress, mate, all that travel and you shove a scary white guy in his face,' Fred
said.
'He has to face this,' Ish said. He bent down to remove Ali's pads.
'Yep, needs stamina and training, but will go places,' Fred said.
'You think so?' 'That's Fred's verdict.'