Even If The World Was Ending

18. Back to you

The second match against Afghanistan was held in Delhi.

A pitch, which was difficult to crack, but the skipper loved to score and entire team had loads of expectations from him, to score a century.

When Afghanistan won the toss, the team members were not happy since again, they had to bowl, but their 1st match toss wasn't in their favour yet they won, Dravid Sir had reminded them.

A good thing about this match, for Ishan was that, this time he was very well motivated and also, Shubman's health was improving. He didn't let any negative trolls or thoughts get to him.

Not to mention the call Ishan had with his brother Raj, before the match today.

"Aaj jo bhi result aaye Ish, dhyan rakh ki tu team keliye khel raha. And jab team keliye khelte hai na.. tab individual score matter nahi hota. And remember that's your speciality! It doesn't matter how much you score, until it doesn't work out for your team. Jaa! Aaj dil khol ke khel!"

Ishan's one of the biggest inspiration in cricket was his brother, since childhood. Infact, he got into cricket because if him.

Virat also once had said to him "Accha hua ki tu padhai mein kaccha tha, warna tere jaise young players humko milte hi nahi the" and laughed it off.

Just before they were going on the field for the bowling, Ishan received a text.

He unlocked his phone and a smile appeared on his face

Baby❤️: Aaj dikha de tu kiski Jaan hain.

Ishan: Puri team ki Jaan hoon main. Mere fans Ko pata hai 😉

Baby: Tu team ki Jaan hai, par mera "Jaan-e-man" hai 🥰

Ishan blushed furiously and giggled. Before he could reply Siraj out of nowhere jumped infront of him and peeped in his phone.

Ishan tried to hide it, but it was too late. Siraj already had seen and started laughing.

"Kya cringe hoon yaar tum dono. Baby huh?" Siraj wiggled his eyebrows ans smirked. Ishan scoffed and punched Siraj's stomach who hissed in pain.

He left to got ready, not paying attention to Siraj's teasing. But before entering the pitch Ishan did leave a message for his boyfriend.

Ishan: Jaan toh tu le baithe hai, "Mann". Wapas aayega, tab lauta Dena🩷

Ishan knew that he successfully had brought a blush on Shubman's face, without even looking.

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Afghanistan played well and the score was also good, but India was confident that this match was going to be their match as well.

And it was true, during the second innings, Rohit and Ishan had come prepared. Their only motive was throwing the ball so far that the fielders would have difficulty in reaching out for it.

For starting 15 overs, the openers created a hell atmosphere for the opponents. Rohit had reached 100 and Ishan had played some selfless fours and sixes.

But unfortunately, like last time, During the 18th over, Ishan tired to go for a six, but got out for 47 runs for 47 balls. Ishan really wanted to achieve atleast half century buy the luck wasn't his side. But this time, when he got dismissed, Rohit patted his back with a smile as he said "good job, kiddo"

Ishan smiled as he entered the dressing room. The people near the barricades also praised Ishan, to which he replied with a polite nod.

He got freshened up, and when he took his phone in his hands, he saw numerous msgs from fans from various platforms praising him for his amazing knock. Ishan didn't even know his strike rate was so nice, until he saw the msgs from his fans and family.