3rd June 2021
Mumbai
Virat was feeling both excited and nervous as Indian cricket team landed in the Southampton for the Wtc finals.
"Ro..... who the hell is this Conway guy! Before this match, we had no idea about him and now! He scored 200 on his debut and that too in Lords. Gosh even sachin paaji didn't scored a 50 there. What we're gonna do now? What if he score another 200 in the finals! We didn't played against him. How we're gonna know about his strength and weaknesses?"
For the 480th time that day, Virat decided to chew his best friend's mind and rohit wanted to slap himself for sitting next to this crazy person.
"Vi.... my sweet best friend, please spare me. I already explained you this and for the 481th and the final time. Don't stress this much. He scored 200 in one match doesn't mean he's scoring it every time. He didn't played against us and that's equally difficult for both us and him. I'm sure jassi or shami are gonna got him out early. SO STOP EATING MY HEAD AND LET ME SLEEP."
Rohit tried hard to maintain his calm tone. Although mahi bhai wasn't there to handle their fight, he made sure to not to let them do something stupid by making Jinks their personal adult baby sitter and being lectured by Jinks and mahi bhai and that for this idiot's fault is the last thing he wanted.
Virat grumbled a fine and went back to watching the match. After 15 minutes, they reached in the hotel. They all checked in and after finishing their covid test went to their respective rooms. Virat entered in the room and went straight to the balcony, from where he could see the whole Ageas bowl cricket ground. Indian cricket team was staying in a hotel which was inside of the stadium and this was a new experience for him. He silently looked at the view of the cricket ground, until he felt someone's presence.
"I know you're tensed, virat. But don't worry everything will be all right. Trust yourself and your team."
Virat smiled and hugged his biggest supporter, his wife.
"I believe my team, Nush! I believe their ability more than mine. But i don't trust my luck. You saw from last 8 years, we got nothing but heartbreaks. They tried so hard but at the end, it doesn't mattered. I want to win this nush! Not just for me also for my team. The way they performed in Australia and then against England, they deserves to be in the champion team. I'm ready to do anything for fulfilling my kiddo's dream to be champions."
Anushka smiled.
"I know vi! I know how badly you wants to win this. Don't worry. God won't do injustice to you guys. He knows how much hardwork you guys have done to reach here. Be positive."
Virat nodded in her shoulders. They broke their hug, as vamika got up from her nap and was staring at her parents. Virat smiled as he lifted his princess up, who was busy playing with her dad's face. Anushka chuckled.
"Looks like she's also assuring her over thinker dad that everything's going to be all right. Right princess?"
Virat rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue to Anushka as they both got busy playing with their little bundle of happiness.
10th June 2021
Southampton
Virat was frustrated. Well 'frustrated' was not the ideal word to describe what he was feeling. He was fuming furiously and all of his rages were dedicated to a certain Williamson who was unaware of all cursings he was receiving unconsciously from a crazy bestie of his.
"This idiot! How dare he! He got himself injured just 8 days before the final!! What he was thinking. Can't he play a little carefully. What if he won't be eligible for the finals!!! No. No. No. It can't be. I don't want to win the final without their main batsman. I mean yes I want to win but i only want to win it by having tough competition. I don't want people criticizing me and my players for winning the Wtc against a poor NZ side. Let the match finish first. I won't spare that idiot if he declared unavailable for the finals."
Virat waited patiently till the match over. Kane was feeling happy about their team's performance. Tom Latham and Co were doing great job against England. Although he was a bit worried about the confirmation of his place in the finals. He just entered in his room, when he received his opponent captain's call. Kane smiled as he picked the call.
"Hey... v.........."
"Kane, you idiot monkey! Tere mai akal hai ya woh bhi bech ke kha gaya tu! How could you be so irresponsible! Getting injured just 8 days before the final!! Kane I swear if you won't play in the finals......"
"Well thank you for having this much concern about my injury, virat.
Kane sarcastically said.
"Don't worry, it's not that big deal. Besides this final is my dream too. I won't miss it at any cost. If needed, I'll play with having painkillers."
Virat raised his eyebrows.
"Don't tell me, you're thinking yourself a superhero or something. Playing with painkillers!!! Seriously!!! You know how much pain you'll feel, every time you'll play a shot!!!
Kane smirked.
"Saying the freak, who scored a century with 8 stitches in his hands!!"
"But that was a IPL match. "
Virat tried to argue.
"Yeah exactly. If you could play with 8 stitches in an IPL match, why i couldn't play with an injured elbow in a final match. I'm the captain and it's my job to lead the team from the front! At least that's what i learned from my genius freak friend!"
Kane answered back smilingly. Virat just shook his head.
"Yeah yeah whatever!! But don't forget to take care of your elbow. See you on 17 captain Williamson."
Virat grinned.
Kane laughed.
"You too, captain Kohli."
17th June 2021
Southampton
Press conference of both of them was over now. Virat was eagerly waiting to meet his opponent captain at the stadium. After almost 6 months, they're going to meet in person. Kane didn't played the first match against RCB and by the second match, IPL was postponed to September. They're here for the official photoshoot and kane was a little late because of the press conference.
"Uff yeh barish!!! Pata nahi inn ICC walon ke pass dimag hai ya nahi!! June mai England mai final rakhwa dia!! Abe agar neutral venue mai karana tha toh UAE mai karwalete. Agar kaal barish hua toh kasam benstokes ki, ICC walon ko issi stadium mai zinda gaad dunga."
Virat was watching the rainfall annoyingly and cursing the icc, when he spotted a familiar kiwi batsman coming towards him with his ever smily face. Only virat knew how did he controlled himself from jumping on him. All the cameras were on them and being the captain of the Indian team, he have to act like a matured and professional cricketer.
Kane came to him and high-fived. Virat smiled at him as they both headed to click pictures with the Wtc mace.
"Kane, how's your elbow? Is it still hurts?"
"No, it's a lot better now. Our physio said i could play freely."
Kane said, surpassing his laughter. It's been almost a year, since Virat talked with him in such a professional opposition captainish manner. To be honest, he was used of his childish manners. But as everyone knows It's always been like this. They're opponents since the time they met each other. They always face 2 different type of emotions after the match. If one og them will get a chance of being happy, another one will face the pain of losing. Just like the semi finals of both 2008 and 2019 world cup. But their friendship was still the same. Kane knew that they have a mutual agreement of keeping their friendship and the national duties apart. He will never let his friendship affecting his national duties and vice versa. He did clear it in the conference that no matter how thick friendship they have, at the end they're opponents and
Same was with kane too. It's not that he doesn't believe virat or his love and respect towards him, But this time, judging virat's craziness for the Wtc, kane was wondering after the next 5 days, whether their friendship will remain the same or not. One of them will get a chance to fulfill his dream and another one will left heart broken. But the question was who?
Who'll fulfill his dream and which one will left heart broken again and how far it'll affect virane bond???
Little did he knew that, the person walking next to him was having the exactly same thought.