A/N: So this idea actually came about when my friend told me he was terrified to even see Sean Abbott take his run up be it against any team and he looked me straight in the eye and said, "What if it was Kohli facing a bouncer off of him?" I whacked him of course for putting those thoughts in my head and I'm like ukw? Imma write a OS on those lines. I mean watching him get hit on the head off Johnson scared me in 2014 so. Anywho since Abbott doesn't actually play tests there's someone else who's just as scary, Scott Boland. That bouncer to Angelo Mathews gives me chills.
Just gonna have this set during the BGT- 2025 in Australia. Also we gonna have India finally adapt to their own version of BazBall.
They loved playing Australia in Australia. Virat felt completely at home, the crowd was ever so warm and now with him there, they wouldn't dare utter a word against any of the boys and Jinks, Jaddu and Ro were well aware of that.
Of course every net session they had the Aussie media had all lenses on the former captain as he batted out a few more sessions even after the rest of the team had gone back. Of course he was hyped like he almost always is every time he so much as set foot in any ground here, Adelaide more than any. His fortress. His comfort zone, he's had such fond memories of these ground. He was going to definitely miss it. Back of his mind he knew this could very well be the last time he played a match in this country and he was going to enjoy every moment with his boys and the opposition too.
First match of the 4 match series, India had been put in to bat first on a bouncy wicket at Adelaide, unfortunately, a horrible mix-up between Yashasvi and Ro and Yashasvi got run out for a duck, in walked Shubman at 3, Ro and Shub had built a 130 run stand, Rohit notching up another 100 in his career and then got out on the very next ball off Starc getting dismissed for 103(142).
In walked Virat at 4, one would think he'd have gotten used to that reception but 17 years into his career and he's still in awe of all those who've supported him through everything. Starkey grinned at him as he took his stance after having a quick chat with Shub on the pitch and when to rotate strike. He grinned back at one of his oldest mates and cocked his head signalling he was ready.
First ball off Starc and the vintage Virat showed a glimpse as he balanced his weight perfectly maneuvering the ball over for an on drive, classic drive for a boundary and he was off the mark. The next few balls he left them alone but he noticed that extra bounce the pitch was providing, the ball looked to be swinging as well, not England conditions swing, but enough to make him cautious.
Next few overs Shubman and Virat had piled on quick runs, Shub getting to his maiden ton in Australian grounds in tests and Virat notching up yet another half century to his name at his favorite ground. Shub had gone running into Virat's arms when he got to his century with a boundary and suddenly Virat was reminded of Rah scoring his maiden ton over a decade ago. Virat had proudly brushed his fingers through his kid's hair and whispered just how proud he was, the likes of Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland and even Smudge were openly applauding him (something they wouldn't have done a few years ago).
Their partnership continued to build almost effortlessly and went into the next day with both batsman set at the crease, but throughout the entire game, more than anyone it was Boland who was able to generate that extra bounce, twice Virat had to duck when the ball bounced a little too high, even Scott had looked surprised at that and had raised his hand apologetically both times.
The next day, in no time, Virat had raced to his 100, unlike the celebration he did 7 years ago, Virat had waved his bat around this time and just shyly kissed his wedding ring basking in the applause. Gone was the aggressive king and here was a more calm level headed emperor standing tall as the whole stadium stood on their feet applauding the man. His little brother had yelled himself coarse charging down the wicket mid way through taking the second run and engulfed Virat in a tight hug still screaming. Dugout on their feet hollering. Steve and Lyon had come over and given him a hug accompanied by their resident rabbit Marnus.
