Smriti Mandhana, India's opening southpaw, is often portrayed as shy, introverted, modest, and humble, shining brightly as one of the top batters in women's cricket. In contrast, Ellyse Perry dazzles with her bubbly, vibrant, and exuberant nature, e...
The practice session had been canceled, much to the team's surprise. Instead, a team bonding event was scheduled for the evening, leaving the morning open. Ellyse Perry, determined to make amends for the previous mishap and to refine her batting, saw an opportunity. As the team dispersed, she approached Smriti Mandhana, who was standing near the nets, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
“Hey, Smriti,” Ellyse began, her voice laced with sincerity. “I wanted to apologize again for that run-out. I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”
Smriti turned to face her, a gentle smile on her lips. “Ellyse, it’s okay. We all make mistakes. I just want us to learn from them and move forward.”
Ellyse nodded, her resolve firm. “Actually, since we have the morning free, I was thinking... How about a private practice session? Just you and me. I’d like to work on some things and—well, maybe it could help us both.”
Smriti raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A private practice session? Alright, that sounds like a good idea. Let’s do it.”
Later, they found themselves on the empty practice field, a sense of quiet surrounding them. The morning sun cast a golden hue over the grounds, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. They set up their equipment, the absence of other players creating a more intimate atmosphere.
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As they began, Ellyse focused on her batting, trying to adjust her stance. Smriti watched intently, offering feedback and encouragement. The sessions were productive, filled with technical tips and laughter, gradually easing the tension that had lingered between them.
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“Try hitting it inside out,” Smriti suggested as Ellyse prepared for another shot. “It’s a useful technique when the ball is outside your off-stump.”
Ellyse nodded and took a deep breath, positioning herself. She swung, attempting the inside-out shot. It was decent but lacked the finesse she wanted. Smriti approached from behind, standing close enough that Ellyse could feel her presence. Smriti reached out and adjusted Ellyse’s hands on the bat.
As Smriti’s fingers brushed against Ellyse’s, a jolt of electricity surged through them both. The contact was brief but intense, sending a rush of warmth through Ellyse. Her heart raced, and she found herself frozen, their hands still touching. Smriti, too, felt a flutter, her own heartbeat quickening as she maintained the contact.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the world narrowing down to the space between their hands. Time seemed to stretch, the usual sounds of the practice ground fading into the background. It was a silent exchange of vulnerability and connection, each woman grappling with the unexpected intimacy of the touch.
Smriti’s breath hitched slightly, and she quickly pulled her hand back, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Sorry about that,” she said, her voice slightly uneven. “Let’s try it again.”
Ellyse, though slightly dazed, managed a nod. She repositioned herself, her mind still reeling from the brief, electric touch. With Smriti’s guidance, she adjusted her swing and executed the shot perfectly. “Yeah!” Smriti exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine excitement. “That’s it! Well done!”
They exchanged high-fives, their earlier awkwardness giving way to shared triumph. As they gathered their equipment, the memory of their touch lingered, both women feeling the weight of the moment.
Walking back to the team area, Smriti scolded herself internally. *This can’t happen*, she thought. *We’re teammates, and I can’t let personal feelings interfere.* Despite her attempts to dismiss it, the lingering sensation of their touch left her conflicted and introspective.
Ellyse, on the other hand, felt a mixture of exhilaration and confusion. The brief contact had been electrifying, and she was certain now that there was something deeper between them. *I need to explore this,* she thought, her curiosity and emotions bubbling to the surface. *There’s something here worth exploring.*
As they reached the team’s meeting area, both women were lost in their thoughts. The chemistry they had experienced was undeniable, and the question of whether they would act on it hung heavily in the air. Smriti remained guarded, focused on keeping their professional relationship intact, while Ellyse was more open to exploring the newfound connection.
The day’s activities continued, but for Smriti and Ellyse, the morning’s private practice had unveiled something profound. The question now was whether they would acknowledge and explore this burgeoning chemistry or maintain their professional boundaries.
