A Story of Cricket

He was too young and the hard ball could be dangerous for him

Step 1: Saccho's elder brother Ajit explains the reason clearly in the story. Step 2: Ajit tells Saccho, 'You are still too small to play with a hard ball, and against such fast bowlers.' Step 3: This shows that safety was the main concern, not a lack of skill. Step 4: The central park was for boys who were sixteen years and above, but the key reason given was the danger of the hard ball for a younger child.

Saccho's elder brother

Step 1: The story clearly introduces Ajit as 'his elder brother' when Saccho watches the boys play in the central park. Step 2: Saccho's eyes are 'transfixed on his elder brother, Ajit'. Step 3: Laxman Kaka is the watchman, not Ajit. Step 4: Ajit is not described as a friend or coach — he is a family member who keeps an eye on his younger sibling.

West Indies

Step 1: The story mentions that the last man out was 'Michael Holding', a famous West Indian cricketer. Step 2: It also says 'The West Indies have folded for 140 — forty-three runs short of India's 183.' Step 3: This clearly tells us India played against West Indies in the final. Step 4: Australia, England, and Pakistan are not mentioned as India's opponents in the final.

183

Step 1: The story states that the West Indies needed to chase a target of 184, which means India scored 183 runs. Step 2: The West Indies were bowled out for 140, which was forty-three runs short of India's 183. Step 3: Ajit mentions '184' as the target — this is always one more than the batting team's score in cricket. Step 4: So India's actual score was 183, not 184 (which was the target set for the West Indies).