A/N: Honestly, while watching the match, I was so so angry. GT had nothing to lose yet they played like it was an IPL finals. And watching Vi cover his face with yet another cap, sitting in the dug out because of a niggle, holding back tears and clapping for Shub, it broke me. Yes at that minute I was so angry at Shubman but it's a game of cricket and he's in the form of his life and he put it to good use. The people who are saying all those things about Shahneel shouldn't even call themselves fans.
21 May 2023, Sunday
It was pouring in Bengaluru, Virat was skillfully blocking any and all kinds of weather reports from his teammates, coaches, TV, phone everything, he had his pods in, thinking of all the ways they could win this match and move forward in the tournament. The other boys however were milling around looking worriedly at the weeping sky as it hailed down heavily.
Shub was so excited to finally play against his big brother this season, he had been waiting two months to see his Virat bhaiyaa in person, he gave his brother the tightest hug when he finally saw him at practice. He stuck by his side the entire time chattering non stop about how he felt after his maiden century, and how mad he was at his Virat bhaiyaa for always posting stories about other youngsters, Vi like always indulged him and laughed along.
'I might praise all those youngsters kiddo, I will even spend time with them post match, but you are irreplaceable, my sitara'
And Shub's mood got better after his Vi bhaiyaa told him that. But one thought plagued him at the back of his mind,
'Will he still be my bhaiyaa if RCB loses today? Will he still love me the same if somehow I take my team to victory?'
Shub shook those thoughts out of his head and resumed staring at the rain covered Chinnaswamy ground, he couldn't help but almost feel at home watching this small yet cozy, homey stadium, he finally understood why Vi looked so excited and happy to be coming back here after the Australia series, he remembers Ro bhai going on and on about how Virat shouldn't look so happy leaving the team for 2 months, he laughed quietly to himself remembering the fight Ro and Vi had,
'Oye! Stop looking so happy you idiot! Every single one of us here are upset we won't be together for 2 months and you're sitting here texting that Fafda of yours.'
'Actually, it's Max I'm texting and Ro how could I not be happy, I'm going back home, and as much as you want to hate this, I will be meeting AB and Chris again. It'll be the trio back home to where it all started.'
'We don't even matter to you do we? Jab dekho Maxwell se chipakthe rehte ho. Maxwell nahi tho koi aur. Honestly Virat they're just people who came into your life much later than we did, but you always choose them over us!'
'When did I choose them over you, you idiot! Maxi and I are close yes, we became even closer with Faf last year, did I ever stop you from calling me? But you choose to stick with Polly. AB's coming back home after 4 years Ro, 4 years we've missed that ground, 4 years since we were all together. Besides, the crowd wants this, this is closure we all need.'
Ro had melted watching the torment in Virat's eyes, the guilt of never winning that damned cup for his team, coming so close to it on two occasions, losing to Mahi bhai once. And as much as it hurt him, it was AB who knows how bad he took it.
'Fine! But stop with the sticking to those firangis.'
Shub had watched in awe as Ro and Vi had hugged it out after that and the way Ro screamed at Vi's back as he skipped away to Maxwell's room.
Rashid tapped him on his shoulders,
"Come on, it's stopped raining, we can go practice."
GT had won the toss and had chosen to bowl first. Shub was happy, he loved chasing much like his older brother, and especially on this pitch where the wicket eases out in the second innings.
