ICT One Shots And Imagines

I Believe In You (Virat-Jinks)

Virat stood at the non-striker's end as the ball hit Jinks's pad. 

No, no, no, no, he's not out, he chanted to himself. But all his hopes came crashing down when he saw that the umpire had already raised his finger.

Jinks dejectedly trudged towards him as he and Virat met halfway down the pitch.

"Review it", said Virat firmly. 

"I don't want to waste reviews Virat. Let them be saved for batsmen who score runs", said Jinks wistfully.

"I don't care. Review it", said Virat.

Jinks shook his head in negative.

"The time's going away! Goddammit, review Jinks, it's not out!!" exclaimed Virat.

Jinks reluctantly reviewed and as it turned out to be, it was not out.

He heaved a sigh of relief and saw Virat grinning towards him. He managed a shaky grin as Virat gave him a 'told you so' face.

Virat was beaming at Jinks but inwardly he was worried. Why was Jinks so low on self-confidence?

Were the trolls getting on him?

Virat scrutinised him for the next few balls, and then to make it all worse, the ball hit his pad again, and a loud appeal rang out.

The umpire had given out and this time, Virat knew he couldn't challenge that. Jinks gave him a sad smile and walked back, shaking his head in disdain.

* * * * *

The celebrations were wild in the Indian dressing room following their win at The Oval after fifty years. Virat raised his glass and said proudly, "To the best test team in the world."

The others smiled at their captain and said, "To the best test team in the world, indeed."

Virat and Rohit noticed Jinks, standing aloof, not joining in the celebrations. They eyed each other reproachfully, feeling worried for him.

"Why do you think he seems so downcast these days?" asked Rohit anxiously.

"I don't know. He seems underconfident to me, too", said Virat shrugging.

"He doesn't even tell us off when we fight", said Rohit sadly.

"Yeah, us ending our fight without Jinks saying the classic 'when will you two grow up?' feels weird", said Virat chuckling.

Rohit rounded upon him, "So, Mr Kohli, you're telling me that you like being told off by Jinks?"

Virat grinned and said, "Of course, Mr Sharma, this team is incomplete without Jinks scolding us all."

Rohit grinned back and said, "All the more reason to bring him back on track."

"But first, we've to find out what's wrong with him."

Virat agreed and said, "I'll go and talk to him. Meanwhile, you handle the kids", and he ran off before Rohit could say anything.

"Heyyyy", exclaimed Rohit, "Fine", he said, grumbling under his breath.

* * * * *

Virat frowned when he saw that Jinks was nowhere present at the party.

He went to check his room and as expected, he found Jinks, sitting on the bed, playing with Aarya. 

He was about to enter the room when he saw Aarya reaching towards Jinks's bat.