A/N: They've done it. I had given up hopes on us winning Asia Cup or the WC, but these doofs have got my hopes back up for the WC. God what a match. what a win. Rah fully and truly back, Siraj no words needed, Kuldeep again what a bowler. And of course our kaptaan, I questioned so many of his decisions but I'm so glad he's won another Asia Cup, I mercilessly dragged Dravid for resting Virat again and again, but it worked out(not him being over rested I'll still drag him if Virat fails against Aus on Friday) and I'm happy it did. Shubman gave me glimpes of Virat in 2012 Asia Cup, highest run getter leading from the front, happy this came in a winning cause though.
Above all this was proper team effort. No one man carry job and that's what I love to see.
Prompt for this story taken from Nushkie's stories appreciating Rah and Siraj. Proper family vibes.
11th September 2023
Anushka watched the match on TV with Vamika and she was so so proud of how Rah had fared against the Pakistan spin and pace attack, brutally hammering the shots into the stands or the ropes. And of course her own husband taking his time settling in and then unleashing. Watching them bat together reminded her of all the great partnerships these two have had over the years and somehow this was the first time Rah got to his century with Virat on the other end but not as his skipper.
She laughed watching Rah's expression drop when Vi bowed down doing Shubman's celebration and the kid laughing in the dugout. She knew Virat was incredibly fond of Shub but nobody and she means nobody will ever come close to being what Rah is to Virat.
She remembers it like it was just yesterday Rah was accompanying her and Virat on dates. An upset Rah sitting morosely in his room, Virat nervous about his first time captaining a test squad and taking over from Mahi bhai knowing the expectations that follow and Anushka who decided she could kill 2 birds with 1 stone, pitching an idea to Virat that they could go on a date to get his mind off of everything and then saying Rahul should come with them too. While initially Virat was hesitant, one pout from Anushka and he agreed. Had she known that by the end of the night, it'd be HER third wheeling them she'd have just asked them to go out by themselves but she loved how Virat gave off proper big brother vibes being the youngest sibling himself. She watched on as Virat assured Rah he'd be fine and to not worry too much about results and Rah countering him back,
"Now say this in front of a mirror maybe then it'll apply to you as well. You've been a good captain bhaiyaa and I'm happy to play under your captaincy"
Virat's face had lit up like a kid watching fireworks for the first time and Anushka wished she could have framed that picture.
Virat would be the first to go check on Rahul after every bad game, Anushka would be there too just running her hands through Rah's hair while he desperately tried to look stoic and strong but would crumble as soon as she'd hug him sideways. They both had seen him at his best, his worst through everything actually. They had been the first ones to find out about Athiya too and it was absolutely adorable how Virat looked like a dad staring his son down across the dinner table as he had a full out interrogation and didn't look like he'd stop so of course Anushka had to intervene again and Rah had looked so thankful she was there.
Rah had been one of the first few people to know Anushka was pregnant, damning all Covid protocols that kid had turned up at their farm house covered in a full body suit and the fancy mask, gloves and all. Virat had stood at the door laughing for 5 minutes straight, gasping for breath and yet again she had to step in and invite Rah inside. She listened amused as Rah went on a monologue of how he'd be the best godfather to the baby and she almost felt bad for him when Virat tactlessly told him none of them are going to be the baby's godparents a d that it'd be someone he'd known from when he was a teenager and because of a bet he lost all those years ago and no it wasn't AB.
