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15 A Cricket Match

I can read...
I can read...
In this chapter, the boys’ cricket practice is hampered by smoke from a nearby
factory, leading to health issues and affecting their performance. Faced with
worsening conditions, the team seeks help from the factory chairman, who
agrees to shut down the factory on match day. The result is a clear, pollution-
free day, allowing the Raja’s XI to win the trophy and celebrate under a pristine
blue sky.

‘‘Well done, boys. It is the first time our team has qualified for the finals. I hope, you

play to win the trophy. The ground at Sawan is ready for you,’’ said Mr Pradhan, the
chairman of the factory, as he came over to congratulate the winners.

Sawan is the township of the chemicals factory nearby. The Sawan’s School
Cricket Tournaments are annual events

sponsored by the factory. This first
victory of the Raja’s XI was an event

to celebrate. All of them piled into the
township bus and there was a lot of

singing and dancing, all the way home.
Ashok, the captain and the player of

the Raja’s, and his friends were seated
in the last row. They were engrossed in

a vigorous post-mortem of the match.
The following evening, at 3.30 sharp,

the boys were ready to start practice.
There was a cold breeze, but the warm

winter sun made it a pleasant afternoon. One by one, each boy took his turn to bat.
It was Sunil’s turn to bat. He had just hit a couple of balls when he straightened up to

wipe his brow.
‘‘Gosh! It is hot, and I thought it was still winter,’’ muttered Sunil.

‘‘Stop fooling around, boys,’’ ordered Ashok. ‘‘If you two want a break, go ahead. Let
me bat,’’ he added.

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