Class 8: Chapter - 1: Beating the Odds by Ramendra Kumar (Summary)

 About the Author: Ramendra Kumar

Ramendra Kumar is an award-winning writer known for his children's fiction, poetry, and travelogues. His works have been translated into 29 languages and featured in national and international anthologies and textbooks. Apart from being a writer, he is also an inspirational speaker and storyteller, frequently invited to literary festivals and events.

Brief Summary of the Story

The story follows Rajat, a talented left-handed fast bowler from Saint Joseph’s High School’s cricket team. His dreams are shattered after an accident leaves him unable to bowl with his left hand. Just before an important championship, his coach, Mr. T Krishnan (TK), encourages him to switch to right-handed leg-spin bowling.

Though skeptical at first, Rajat trains rigorously under TK’s guidance. Slowly, he improves and is selected as a secret weapon for the final match of the Junior Inter-School Cricket Championship for the Sterling Trophy.

During the final against Central School, Rajat struggles initially, conceding 16 runs in an over. However, TK boosts his confidence, reminding him that temperament matters more than skill. Rajat regains focus and takes crucial wickets, including a hat-trick, securing a historic victory for his school.

The story concludes with Rajat being celebrated as the "Man of the Match," and TK reveals that he, too, had to switch sports from gymnastics to cricket due to an injury, proving that determination and adaptability lead to success.

Detailed Summary of the Story

The story revolves around Rajat, a Class VI student of Saint Joseph’s High School, who was once the fastest bowler in the school’s junior cricket team. He was an exceptionally talented left-handed pace bowler and played a crucial role in his team’s victories.

The Accident and the Bad News

However, Rajat’s life takes an unfortunate turn when he meets with an accident. After examining his X-ray, the doctor delivers devastating news—he should avoid putting strain on his left shoulder and arm, which means he can no longer bowl with his dominant left hand. This news shatters Rajat’s confidence, as the Junior Inter-School Cricket Championship for the Sterling Trophy was just three months away—a tournament he had been training hard for. His team depended on him, and now, he felt hopeless.

A New Hope from Coach TK

One day, while watching Adnan, another player, take his place as the fastest bowler, Rajat is approached by Mr. T Krishnan (TK), the school’s cricket coach. TK, who was a former state-level leg-spinner, suggests that Rajat try bowling with his right hand instead of giving up cricket.

At first, Rajat laughs off the idea, saying he has never done anything with his right hand. But TK is persistent and convinces Rajat to at least try. Instead of pace bowling, TK suggests learning leg-spin—a slower but tricky bowling technique. Though skeptical, Rajat agrees to train under TK.

The Tough Training Begins

The next morning, Rajat starts practicing. Initially, it feels awkward and frustrating—his deliveries are inaccurate and slow. The fastest ball he bowls misses the target by ten feet!

But TK remains encouraging, pushing Rajat to keep practicing. Day after day, for one hour, Rajat trains with the coach. After two weeks, he begins bowling steadily, and eventually, he improves enough to make it into the final fifteen players selected for the championship.

The Secret Weapon Strategy

TK devises a strategy for the tournament: Rajat will only be used in the final match as a “secret weapon.” Since no other school has faced Rajat’s leg-spin before, TK believes this will give their team an unexpected advantage.

Everything goes as planned. Saint Joseph’s High School reaches the finals of the Sterling Trophy, where they face Central School, the reigning champions for the last three years.

The High-Stakes Final Match

• Saint Joseph’s wins the toss and elects to bat first.

• They score 144 runs for 8 wickets in 30 overs.

• Central School starts slow but accelerates after the fourth over.

• By the 15th over, they reach 85 runs for 3 wickets, keeping them on track to chase the target.

At this critical moment, Rajat is introduced as a bowler. He knows this is his only chance to prove himself—if he fails, his cricketing career is over.

• His first over is steady, conceding just two runs, impressing his captain Ejaz.

• In his second over, he tries a flighted delivery to tempt the batsman Shoeb, but Shoeb smashes it for a six.

• The next two balls go for a four and another six, conceding 16 runs in the over.

• Rajat is devastated, thinking he has ruined the match.

During the drinks break, TK runs onto the field and finds Ejaz scolding Rajat. But TK intervenes, telling Ejaz to trust Rajat for one more over. He reminds Rajat:

"Temperament is more important than skill. Stay calm, bowl accurately, and wait for them to make a mistake."

Rajat’s Comeback and the Thrilling Climax

Ejaz reluctantly gives Rajat the ball again when Central School reaches 139 for 6 wickets.

• First delivery: Rajat bowls straight, the batsman Sundar misjudges it and gets LBW (Leg Before Wicket).

• Next delivery: Rajat bowls a googly, tricking Peter, who edges it to Ejaz at second slip—Rajat takes two wickets in two balls!

• The last batsman Mohammed defends the next ball and takes a single, bringing Shoeb (the strongest batsman) back to strike.

• Central School now needs 4 runs with 1 wicket left.

With the whole stadium watching, Rajat bowls the most important ball of his life.

• He pretends to bowl a fast delivery but instead bowls a slow, well-placed ball at the middle stump.

• Shoeb, expecting speed, mistimes his shot.

• The ball flies straight to the fielder at mid-off, who catches it cleanly!

Saint Joseph’s High School wins the Sterling Trophy for the first time!

The Victory Celebration and the Coach’s Revelation

The entire team lifts Rajat onto their shoulders for a victory lap, celebrating his match-winning performance.

Later, in the pavilion, Rajat thanks TK for believing in him. TK then reveals a secret about his own past:

"I was a national-level gymnast, but an injury forced me out. I switched to cricket and became a state player. If I could make the switch from gymnastics to cricket, I knew you could switch from left-arm to right-arm bowling!"

The story ends on an inspiring note, showing that determination, adaptability, and resilience can overcome any challenge.