Sorry for the extended delay. This is a shorter chap because I am working on a longer one. siri_reddy suggested me a small idea of the chapter.
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IPL 2019 - Chinnaswamy stadium. (This is a completely fictional match by the way)
It was RCB vs CSK and everyone feared the form that CSK was in. It started of with RCB losing the toss and being put out to bowl.
RCB was at a stage where they had to win every game to qualify and there was no way that they could lose this one. But already the team's morale as pretty low considering that CSK was in good form particularly the feared MS Dhoni.
Virat gave his team a pep talk at the beginning and they listened to him eagerly and patiently. Virat couldn't help but wonder how the Indian team gatherings would be if the team actually listened to him on field. Virat and Yuzi couldn't help but exchanging a glance and that lead to a small hidden chuckle from the two.
The team walked out onto the ground ready to face the CSK openers who were also in lethal form. Virat took a quick glance at his team and the worry written on their faces and took a gulp while taking his position on field.
However, it seemed as though the few motivational words before the match had really pumped up the youngsters and they had dismissed the openers quite quickly.
The score was now 78/2 and the as a new partnership began the morale of the RCB team was slowly fading away. There was nothing that could be done as the score slowly crept up till 140/3. Eventually Yuzi picked up a wicket and Virat ran up to him and hugged him tight.
"It always amuses me how both you and Kuldeep always manage to make me smile," said Virat honestly and Yuzi just chuckled.
But the happiness was short lived as the feared MS Dhoni walked in to bat and both of them knew how lethal he could be when his team was in need after all that's what won the 2011 World Cup for India.
MS walked in and gave a Yuzi and Virat a friendly glance as if to assure to them that it was just the IPL. They couldn't lie it did make them feel a tiny bit better.
They hadn't underestimated their Mahi Bhai because he was currently smashing the ball all over the park and no bowler was spared.
Internally, Virat was both happy and scared but on the outside only his worry was showing. His bowlers were getting hit and in pressure he was constantly making the wrong choices. The guilt was eating him alive each time and he looked so miserable. The only thing that kept him going was seeing his Mahi Bhai bat.
He was genuinely happy seeing Mahi Bhai bat but that wasn't showing and his face looked awfully distraught and when MS looked at him, he couldn't help but feeling a bit sorry for him.
The score gradually increased to 175/5 with 2 overs remaining.
Yuzi was bowling his last over and he honestly looked a bit tired. He just smiled at Mahi Bhai knowing that definitely one of his balls will go for a six. Mahi Bhai saw this and just gave him a small smile back.
Yuzi didn't expect wrong, Mahi Bhai had hit 2 sixes in this over. Virat went up to Yuzi and instructed him how to bowl after each ball. But both of them could not stop themselves from admiring the way their Mahi Bhai was batting.
"Yuzi take it easy and bowl the rest of the balls the same way, he's bound to make some mistake somewhere," Virat spoke almost hopefully.
"Are you kidding I'm enjoying this show. When was the last time we got to see bhai in such lethal form? I'm going to be proud to say that he conceived many runs of my overs and that's difficult for a bowler to say trust me." Yuzi said trying chuck off all feelings of disappointment.
"It's a bit weird to say this but I'm enjoying seeing Bhai bat like this too. I mean at least it shuts all the people speculating random rubbish about him," Virat spoke in awe although feeling heavily broken.
"And there's nothing we can do now, it's just up to the batsmen to perform today." Virat spoke almost too philosophically and just then MS gave them a questioning look as if to say what are you two discussing for so long. Both of them saw this and immediately shut up and then let out a hearty laugh realising that even when in a rival team the two of them shut up at one glance from Mahi Bhai.
The innings ended soon after and CSK had set a mammoth total for RCB to chase down. The score was 193/5.
The entire RCB team was huddled into the changing room and Virat was motivating the younger batsmen to perform by reminding them what wonders they have displayed with bat on this ground before.
However he himself was a bit lost. He was aching to go and hug Bhai, congratulate him for his wonderful knock. Aching to throw himself into his Bhai's arms and staying there because he needed someone to comfort him after all the blunders he made. He needed that guiding figure to tell him what to do from behind the stumps. He needed his Mahi Bhai.
The second innings had started and the RCB players had walked on to the field. The top and middle of the batting order played miserably and the only run scorers were Virat and AB with both scoring a half century each. RCB did eventually lose the match but Virat had a bubbling feeling of joy.
It was making him feel extremely confused and irritated because he was annoyed at himself for making wrong choices on the field.
It continued that way even during the post match ceremony and Virat didn't fail to mention the brilliant knock by MS.
"I must admit it was very hard for both myself and the bowlers today, the bowlers were under pressure and I myself knew I made wrong descions on field as Captain and I regret some of those badly," Virat spoke trying extremely hard to control his inner feelings and while saying this was the only time he didn't have that bubbling feeling.
"And what do you say about the brilliant knock played by MS Dhoni today?" asked a reporter and the bubbling feeling returned.
"I was in awe. You all saw Chahal and I having a laugh in between his bowling. Both of us were admiring the spectacular knock by MS today." He started to say and he took a quick look at Mahi Bhai and he returned the smile.
"But on a serious note both of us were feeling a bit guilty because he was scoring runs of our bowlers but his performance was spectacular and I strongly believe that it gives another chance for the BCCI staff to think about the upcoming World Cup and create a winning squad." Virat attempted to say while maintaining a professional facade.
The weird feeling in his stomach never left. He was genuinely happy for his Mahi Bhai but he was guilty because he was feeling happy at his team's loss but he was proud to say that it was his Mahi Bhai.
Once they were back in the hotel, and they had freshened up Virat literally ran towards Mahi Bhai's room and knocked slightly while catching his breath.
"Come in," a very warm familiar voice screamed from inside.
"Bhai..." Whispered Virat as he peeked his head through the door.
" Oh Cheeku come in baccha." MS called lovingly.
At this point it was not as if Virat was going to refuse, he was dying to run straight into his Mahi Bhai's arms anyway.
And he did just that
"Bhaiiiiii!!" He exclaimed while taking him into a huge hug.
"Arrey arrey slow down baccha. Are you ok kiddo? It didn't seem like it during the match---" MS started to say before being interrupted by Virat.
"Chodo na Bhai. Let's talk about your batting today. Please give me tips I'm going to need them..." Virat said teasingly while laying his head in his Mahi Bhai's lap ,hiding the hurt.
MS knew that his younger brother learnt from him to hide his feelings and he had adapted over the years to see through everyone's facade. MS saw how when he was batting Virat was looking broken yet proud. In that situation he kept making wrong fielding decisions and he was dying to to tell him not to make those decisions but he couldn't.
"Cheeku I'm serious what was that interview and why did you say that. I didn't play that well" Said MS almost confused.
Now Virat was fired up because Bhai wasn't acknowledging how well he played and said "Sure bhai I believe that. With 79 runs of 54 balls you want me to speak otherwise. You know what you're hopeless Bhai you played that well and you're asking me why I spoke like that in the interview,"
MS just chuckled at his exasperated reaction. And Virat was in no mood to end his rant so he continued rambling on about rubbish just laying in Mahi Bhai's lap.
"No seriously Cheeku what happened to you on field, I don't want to say this but you were playing lously. You seemed so so stressed baccha," MS spoke with concern clearly visible on his face.
All this made Virat do is squirm and snuggle more into MS. And after a few seconds started sniffling.
"What happened baccha? Don't be afraid to tell me," MS continued.
"Why...did...you... quit..?" Virat asked innocently while sobbing.
"I'm a bad captain Bhai...I don't deserve to be captain...why did you choose me? MI won more titles under Rohit's captaincy and I couldn't even lead my team to win one." Virat sobbed.
Mahi Bhai immediately understood what he was talking about and said
"Virat look at me." MS spoke sternly.
Virat didn't disobey, he got up and looked at his Mahi Bhai. Bhai didn't seem like he was in a great mood.
"Bhai...I mess up everything and without you India will fail. I'm an incompetent fool. I make the wrong team decisions and I have many loses in my account of captaincy." Whined Virat
"But cheeku you have many wins in your account too!" MS tried to respond back but was cut short by Virat
"But Mahi Bhai, there are other people who have the capability to captain the team. Why me?" Virat asked pouring out all his feelings which sort of annoyed MS because his cheeku was underestimating himself.
"Virat you listen to me with full ears. I do not care what you think about yourself because you play extraordinarily. And don't get me started on winning the IPL. IT'S JUST THE IPL. It means nothing compared to national cricket. You may have not won the IPL but you've lead your team to the finals. You play brilliantly when your team is in need and you have the capability to captain the team to a World Cup win!" Mahi Bhai exclaimed.
"But Bhai you saw how I was playing out there. Terrible. You know that yourself and we playing against you....," Virat attempted to fire back but it came out meekly.
"Virat...to win matches needs a team effort and you yourself looked so broken that the ones who look up to you lost morale too. " MS tried to explain and Virat seemed to be registering something.
"I tried Bhai but I failed...I failed to keep the team's morale and see how you're boosting my morale. That is exactly why I say that you are the best captain!" Virat said defeated.
MS just sighed knowing that they back to this conversation.
He couldn't take it every time his baby brother blamed himself like this.
"Virat how many times have I told you that it takes practice to become a 'perfect' captain and you're working towards it. It's just your early years kiddo you'll learn," MS tried to explain to a dismayed Virat who simply nodded.
Virat was registering what Mahi Bhai just said but he didn't let that show.
For some reason every word spoken about cricket today made him feel like trash and was desperately waiting for a topic change. And MS didn't miss this. He knew he had to do something.
"Hmmm...wo sab chodo na bhai." "Where is Ziva?" He spoke with childish delight making Mahi Bhai chuckle.
"She's with Nidhyana and Jaddu," MS responded. "She'll be back soon."
They went on for a while talking about random things and with occasional teasings and Virat was in no mood to move from Mahi Bhai's lap.
Eventually the topic came to Mahi Bhai's early days and how he got captaincy.
Mahi Bhai took it as the correct time to make Virat understand his worth and motivate him for the future.
"Bhai if you had to compare your younger self to someone in the current team who would it be?" Virat asked with childish excitement.
"Nobody. No one in this team has even an ounce of common sense at least I had that🤭🙄"
"Humph!" Virat growled.
"I already told you but there is one part we are similar in.." MS started.
"What what what....tellllllll meeee!!" Virat squealed jumping off MS.
"Our stubborn nature towards our respective captains."
"Bhai you can be stubborn?!" A dumbfounded Virat asked.
"Well if you mean other than telling you off , yes." MS replied.
"But how?" Virat asked genuinely confused.
"Well I was just like you. I loved my captain just as much as you love me." MS said confusing Virat more.
"I'm confused," he whined.
"Ok I'll tell you," sighed MS ruffling Virat's hair.
"Yay story time!" Virat squealed lying back in Mahi Bhai's lap.
"Ok shush and listen. There was a time where I was as stubborn as you were. I never left Dada's side and clung to him." started Mahi Bhai.
"Like meee!" Virat shrieked.
"Yes cheeku just like you." Said MS smiling while ruffling Virat's already messed up hair.
"And then one day he suddenly announced his retirement. I won't lie I thought it was all me. I thought that he was retiring because of me." MS continued in an almost dismayed tone remembering that time.
Mahi Bhai paused and Virat just stared at him slowly understanding what he was trying to say.
"I thought I was a bad captain and he couldn't see the team that he built so well breaking under my captaincy." He continued.
"He then came and told me how I had nothing to do with him retiring. It was his just the right time for him mentally and physically."
"I wasn't exactly convinced when he first retired and I had sleepless nights, I went through the same criticism you are going through. I know how you felt kiddo and eventually it started to show in my performance. But Dada came and put me straight."
"What did he say?" Questioned Virat fully listening.
"He told me that I was being a right idiot and that now I was ruining the team because of my bad performance. One bad performance of mine and you all would be demotivated too. Isn't that right Cheeku" MS spoke with a motherly tone.
Virat looked everywhere but at Mahi Bhai and gave a small nod. There was no denying that.
"Exactly the same kiddo. When you get out or don't out your best the rest of the team especially the youngsters are heavily affected."
Virat slowly started to tear up reminiscing all the blunders he had ever committed on field as Captain.
"And giving up captaincy was all in due course and it happened in the perfect time if you ask me. Just enough time before my retirement." Mahi Bhai tried to say calmly knowing that Virat was going to have an outburst of emotions.
Virat did look painfully terrified. Just the mere thought of Mahi Bhai retiring made him shiver.
"Don't speak about you retiring Bhai. I can't take it," saying this Virat broke down into Mahi Bhai's arms.
"Shhhh calm down kiddo." Mahi Bhai muttered and patted Virat's head slowly to calm him down.
Virat cried it all his emotions out and rambled about how he couldn't take anything about Mahi Bhai retiring and that was his weakness.
Mahi Bhai tried to console him but he knew that he had the right to cry. After all he too was in a similar state when Dada had retired.
When Virat had gotten a grip over himself Mahi Bhai continued cautiously.
"I know this is hard for you Cheeku, but it's part of the game. You'll leave a strong impression for the future that's for sure but what really matters if you're pleased with yourself."
Virat still clutched onto Mahi Bhai's arm and simply stared at him with glassy eyes.
"But you're perfect," Virat sniffled.
"You're perfect too in your own special ways." Mahi Bhai tried to console.
"Everyone is special in their own ways."
"No one person is the same and that's what makes us all beautiful. You're a brilliant captain and whether you believe it or not I know that one day you'll be the one that people are comparing others too."
"Just wait a few years, the kids in your team will be just as scared as you were when you met me. They will idolise you just the same way you did."
"You're a figure to idolise!"
"You're amazing kid!"
Mahi Bhai finished letting out all the praise he had for his little brother who meant to world to him.
Virat had felt much better hearing his older brother. He had been through the same he was going through.
The same troubles , the same everything .
He knew that the same big brother would be there for him no matter what came his way.
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I said short but it ended up quite long. DreamerTani dii this is for you ❤️ hope you like it.
Ashu