CSK '23

Jaddu and Rutu and being benched

a/n: not exactly csk but an os about our boys. i think i understand why rutu isn't in the playing eleven but it just hurts to see him as the water guy. because he definitely deserves more chances to play for the country.

—————

India tour of West Indies, 2023

Jaddu has been watching Rutu. He seemed chilled, gave his one hundred percent in the nets, and got along with pretty much everyone.

But he noticed the unnoticeable; just a couple days after Utkarsha left the West Indies. Rutu appeared lost, like a part of him was missing. Jaddu meant to talk with him, but didn't find the exact moment.

After the tests, during the team meeting for ODIs, they came to know that he wouldn't play the first ODI as well, and by this time Jaddu practically scrutinised him. Rutu caught his eyes after the meeting, Jaddu's keen, almost concerned, eyes. Rutu frowned at him and walked the opposite way.

"Oye Rutu!" Jaddu jogged after him, to his room.

"Haan?" Rutu tiredly turned to him. Jaddu got inside the room and shut the door like it was his own.

"You're okay, right?" Jaddu asked lamely.

"Why would I not be?" Rutu asked, with voice lacking life, Jaddu noticed.

"You will eventually get a chance, you know?" Jaddu said, in his best attempt at Mahi bhai's comforting voice.

Rutu sighed. "I know."

"You just have to wait, and I know waiting is so nerve racking and irritating, but trust me Rutu, you deserve a spot. After a while the selecters will have no choice but to pick you. Just you wait. Let's see how long they can ignore your talent." Jaddu said with such confidence that Rutu beamed with joy.

"I love you Jaddu bhai!" With that, he practically threw himself over Jaddu who was taken aback.

Rutu crushed him, and Jaddu pushed him away saying, "okaaaay, okay, that's enough."

Rutu made a face.

"What?"

"Mahi bhai never pushes me away when I hug him." He scoffed, and Jaddu laughed.

"I know, but I'm not Mahi bhai. I'm Sir, let me repeat in case you missed it, SIR RAVINDRA JADEJA, I don't do hugs." Jaddu boasted, with a tinge of sarcasm.

"Yeah, yeah," Rutu laughed. "That's why your Instagram profile picture is you hugging Mahi bhai,"

"Ahh that.." Jaddu sighed, thinking of a good reply to that. Before he could, Rutu spoke again.

"But seriously, Jaddu bhai, thanks for coming to me. Just- knowing that there's someone in the Indian team who'll watch out for me... it's... I don't know... nice."

Jaddu genuinely felt bad at those words. He must've come to the kid earlier. In the CSK team, Mahi bhai was always there to make sure the kids were doing okay mentally, so Jaddu never took that job upon himself. Mostly.

But this is the Indian team. No Mahi bhai. Rutu was still relatively new, he must've watched out for him more!

Jaddu smiled. A genuine, loving smile. "I'm always here if you need something, okay? I may not be your Mahi bhai, I might not know immediately if something's bothering you... but I'll always be there if you need something. Anything. Just come to me whenever, you hear me?"

Rutu felt a sense of relief blooming over him. He felt guarded, and protected... and that was missing all these days.

He looked at Jaddu with so much respect and love. "I seriously love you."