He Couldn't Take It Anymore || An ICT Fanfiction

Our Captain

*****one-shot*****

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Writing is the best way to vent it out.

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"What is taking him so long?" groaned Rahul.

"Aisi kaun si tactics discuss kar raha hai?" wondered Ishant puzzledly.

"Heaven only knows", sighed Jaddu.

"Ham sabko yahan bula kar, khud pata nhi kya kar raha hai", grumbled Rohit.

The team had assembled together in the dressing room at Virat's request. Surprisingly, it wasn't just the test team who were physically present, Virat had requested the members of the ODI team, players at the NCA and all the juniors to be present via video conference along with WAGs who were accompanying the players in South Africa and the coaching and support staff.

"Nush, are you two about to announce something?" asked Prithi, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"What?! NO!" said Anushka, a bit too loudly and then looked down at her lap, blushing furiously. "Nothing! Vami just turned one!"

Everyone enjoyed a hearty laugh at that.

"Kuch nahi hua. Use bas maza aati hai India ke logon ko raat ke ek baje uthane me", grunted Rohit.

"Not everything is about your sleep, Rohit", jibed Hardik, earning a glare from the former.

Jassi silently approached Siraj, who was standing away from all the laughter and merriment, by the door, watching Rahul Bhai and Virat talking in the dining room. It had been an hour since the two of them had been present there, discussing God knows what.

"Jassi Bhaiya?" asked Siraj, almost as if he sensed Jassi coming towards him.

"Yes?" halted Jassi just beside Siraj.

"Is it just me or do you have the feeling that something is about to go terribly, terribly wrong too?" asked Siraj, finally taking his eyes off Virat and looking directly at Jassi with his brows furrowed.

Jassi glanced at Virat before his eyes fell back on Siraj. "Nothing's going to be wrong, Miyan", reassured Jassi.

"I don't have a right feeling about why Virat bhaiya has called us here", said Siraj straightforwardly.

Jassi pondered upon his words and forced himself not to think about the worst possible scenarios now, especially when he had a worried, intrigued kid standing in front of him.

"I said na, nothing's going to be wrong. Now, come inside. Virat Bhaiya is also coming", said Jassi, as he put an arm around Siraj's shoulders and guided him inside.

"Look who finally decided to come", clapped Rohit sarcastically, as Virat entered the room with Rahul Bhai.

Virat rolled his eyes at Rohit and proceeded to stand in the middle of the room.

"So, what is it, Virat?" asked Jinks promptly.

Virat looked around the room once to check if all the people whom he had requested to be present were there or not. His brows creased when he realised that two very important people were nowhere to be seen.

He frowned in confusion. "Where are Mahi Bhai and Ravi Bhai?"

"Right here", said Ravi Bhai, smiling at him. Anushka moved aside to reveal the two tablets beside her displaying Mahi Bhai and Ravi Bhai's smiling faces.

Virat smiled back at them and looked around the room once more. The place had fallen silent, everyone anticipating Virat words.

Virat looked at Anushka, Ravi Bhai and Mahi Bhai one more time, as the three of them nodded subtly at him, indicating that they had his back.

"Seven years ago", he began, "When Mahi Bhai had given me the responsibility of this team, I didn't know that I would be blessed enough to lead a team like you all. It has been an absolute honour to be called the captain of the best team in the world."

A looming silence had befallen. The clocking ticking was the only other sound that could be heard apart from Virat's statement.

"Shubhman, Mayank, Hanuma, Shreyas, Washi, Nattu, Shardul, you've thrived so well in the matches you've played and I'm sure a bright future awaits each of you."

"Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bhuvi, Jassi, Miyan, thank you for making this team one of the best fast bowling teams in the world. Just keep throwing the bouncers back at the opposition", said Virat, letting out a shaky laugh.

"Yuzi, Kuliya, Ash, Jaddu, Axar, keep weaving webs with your spin. I'm proud of you all."

"Rishabh, Rahul, Hardik bachhe nahi rahe tum ab; bade ho gye ho. Guide the juniors who come in next, okay? I pray that you win us many more matches like the Gabba and the Lord's."

"We are fortunate to have you in our team Pujji. I thank you for all the blows you've taken upon yourself, the way you have stood defiant and I know you still will in the future, to ensure the victory of this team."

"Rohit, Jinks, you both have stood beside me through all these years. You've taken care of this team whenever I wasn't there and I know you will do it in the future as well. I wish you all the luck, Rohit."

"Ravi Bhai and the coaching staff, you've helped me nurture the team that is now called invincible. You helped me fulfil my dream. I could have never done this without you."

"And lastly, thank you Mahi Bhai. You've supported me in every high and low. Thank you for entrusting me with this responsibility."

"For seven fortuitous years, I have been blessed enough to be called the captain of the Indian Cricket Team. But, many years ago, I had made a promise to myself. If I feel that what I am giving at the field is not 120 per cent, I won't do it. I won't deter from that promise now. So, I've made a decision. I ask you a favour to keep this news to yourself and within this room."

The air in the room had changed in a matter of ten minutes since Virat had started speaking. From mirth and jokes to thick, tense and an embodiment of gloom and farewell. Virat knew and so did everyone, what his next words were going to be. Yet, a silent prayer was whispered from each mouth imploring Virat, not to say the dreadful words.

"It's time that I step down as the captain of the team."

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Haan, le liya tha for granted ki Virat hi captain rehne wala hai. Na kabhi dekha tha, na aadat thi, ki ek din ye din bhi aayega ki Virat Kohli(c) nhi dekhne milega.

Shayad pichle teen chaar mahino me pehli baar ye realise hua, haan aisa bhi din hoga; bas ye nahi pata tha ki itni jaldi aa jaayega :)

"To my superhero, I cannot be thankful enough for the support and the encouragement that I got from you. You have always been my great brother. Thank you for trusting me and believing in me for all these years. For seeing the great at my worst. You will always be my captain, King Kohli."

Thank you for this Miyan. 

Virat, you've walked off with your head held high, just like you've been doing it in there all these years.

No thank you will ever be enough for what you brought to this team, this sport because what you've achieved is a lot more than many still dream of.

And as Anushka said, you are limitless and you will never cease to be.

You'll always be our captain Virat.

Love,
Mishka.