We are Forever ft. Us

The best confiding ear

November, 2013

After the fever-dream ODI series against Australia in October of 2013 that ended on Diwali with Rohit scoring the third double hundred scored in the history of the sport came the home Test series against the West Indies. It would not have been too special if not for Sachin Tendulkar's retirement announced post the series.

When Rohit got his maiden Test call-up before that series, the first thing he felt was hollow.

Yes, he'd prayed for years for this to happen. He'd waited for years. He'd said multiple times in public that he'd be the happiest person on earth if he could play for India in whites.

But somehow, he'd never pictured that series to clash with his idol's retirement.

And hence, he couldn't be the happiest person on earth, after all, even for a day.

***

Virat, of course, had absolutely no idea.

Rohit had smashed a 177 on his Test debut, and the dismissal had also been a very questionable decision. Virat was in a delirious state of excitement and indignation that evening, alternating between, "YOU WOULD HAVE GOT THE DOUBLE HUNDRED IF NOT FOR THAT MEWLING IDIOT!" and "YOU SCORED 177 ON YOUR DEBUT! ON YOUR DEBUT, RO!"

"I know," said Rohit, wincing and tapping his ear to see if they were still fine.

"Still ten runs less than my debut," Shikhar told them, beaming (he had been summoned to the room Rohit and Virat were sharing by the latter's roars).

"But you actually got out," shot back Rohit, getting indignant, too.

"His was against Australia," said Jaddu smoothly.

"Mohali is an easier batting pitch than Eden!" shrieked Virat.

Jaddu punched Shikhar on the shoulder, presumably in support. "But Eden is Rohit's lucky ground anyway, what's the big deal about playing well in one's lucky ground?"

"He's right," Rohit told Virat in a whisper.

"You made Eden your lucky ground," said Virat, glaring. "Why it is not everyone's lucky ground if it is that benevolent a stadium?"

"Because--" Jaddu began promptly.

"Enough!" said Virat. "Enough! Where's the cake?"

"I don't want cake, Virat...the match isn't even over, and it's not such a big deal anyway..."

No one paid heed to Rohit's protests. Shikhar, Jaddu and Virat produced an enormously unhealthy-and-tasty looking frosted cake, three pitchers of orange juice and a bunch of party hats. Rohit buried his head in his arms and sat till a hat was placed on his head and he was forced to raise his face and got a heap of butterscotch whipped cream in his eyes by three violent palms.

"Get off! Get off!"

"No way! We got a bonus birthday of yours!"

"What's going on?" a mild voice interrupted.

Shikhar, Jaddu and Virat paused and looked around. It was Ajinkya Rahane, who had just joined the team for the Test series after the long limited overs series against Australia. Rohit had played with him in the Mumbai domestic team, but he did not know him well enough not to be discomfited--after all, he was covered in cake, he was being overpowered by his wily teammates, and he was sure he was coming across as a loser.

"Celebrating Rohit's debut 100," said Virat. "Come and join, Jinks. Here's an extra hat."

"We have to play tomorrow," said Rahane, still mild, though he did put on the hat. "Why don't you keep this after the match ends?"