Ishan, amidst the struggle within himself, continued packing his bags for Delhi, seeking solace in the familiar corners of his apartment. The decision to not make himself available for the Afghanistan series weighed heavily on him. He grappled with the sense of not being truly acknowledged for his skills on the field, feeling like a mere water boy in the grand scheme of things.
His thoughts danced between the desire to leave international cricket, to escape the pressure, and the obligation to continue playing in domestic and IPL. As he pondered, the irony of representing India, yet feeling unnoticed, echoed in his mind.
"Beta, thoda aur ruk jaate, na," his mother's concern seeped through her words as she noticed the toll cricket had taken on him. "Kitna dubla-patla ho gaya hai, aankhon mein gadde hain."
With a wistful smile, Ishan replied, "Mumma, main thik hoon. Main jaa raha hoon, kuch kaam hai, jaldi wapas aaunga, okay?"
His mother saw through the facade, "Maa se jhoot bolega? Itna bada ho gaya hai, tu mera laal hai, kyun aansu chupa raha hai?"
Unable to contain the emotions any longer, Ishan embraced his mother, tears streaming down his face. "Mumma, mein..."
"Ro le beta, ro le. Mera beta itna aansu chhupata hai," she whispered, holding him close. In that vulnerable moment, Ishan found solace in the comforting arms of his mother, a haven in the storm of his silent struggles.
The weight of unspoken emotions lingered in the air as Ishan held onto his mother, tears staining both their cheeks. In the midst of this raw vulnerability, he felt the unconditional love and understanding that only a mother could provide.
His mother gently pulled back, cupping his face in her hands, "Beta, tu bata nahi sakta, toh main samajh gayi. Tere chehre pe likha hai sab."
Ishan, with a tremor in his voice, confessed, "Mumma, cricket mein maza nahi aa raha. Lagta hai main sirf pani leke aata hoon. Koi mera existence notice nahi karta."
His mother's eyes reflected a mixture of empathy and concern, "Beta, sabko waqt lagta hai. Tu apne iraado mein pakka hai, aur main tujhe har kadam mein support karti hoon."
As Ishan continued to bare his heart, the room resonated with the truth of his struggles. "Main soch raha hoon, international cricket chhodoon. Kuch bada nahi hua, na?"
His mother, wise and tender, spoke, "Beta, aaj har koi cricket ka hero ban'na chahta hai, lekin har hero ka apna time hota hai. Tera bhi aayega."
Ishan nodded, a mix of gratitude and sadness in his eyes. "Lekin mumma, main khud ko khoya ja raha hoon. Lagta hai main khud se juda ho gaya hoon."
His mother gently wiped away his tears, "Beta, tu akela nahi hai. Ghar aa, yahan tu bilkul akela nahi hai. Hum tere saath hain."
As he prepared to leave for Delhi, the warmth of his mother's love remained etched in his heart. Yet, the uncertainty of his cricketing journey and the shadows of self-doubt continued to cast a pall over his spirits. In the solitude of his apartment in Delhi, Ishan hoped to find not just physical space but also a
sanctuary for his restless soul.
----
In the squad meeting, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid gathered to discuss the player selection for the upcoming T20 series against Afghanistan. The selectors presented the list, and when Ishan Kishan's name came up, Virat and Rohit exchanged glances, aware of Ishan's ongoing mental fatigue.
Rahul Dravid, understanding the sensitive nature of Ishan's situation, spoke up, "I think we need to give Ishan some more time. He's going through a challenging phase, and we should prioritize his well-being over immediate cricket duties."
Ajit, one of the selectors, raised an eyebrow, "Well, I heard he's enjoying his brother's birthday celebrations. Maybe he needs a break from national duty."
Virat, known for his empathetic leadership, responded firmly, "Ajit, it's not just about celebrations. We know Ishan is dealing with mental fatigue. We should support him through this. Cricket can wait."
Rohit added, "We've seen enough in our careers to know the toll it can take. Let's not underestimate the importance of mental health."
Ajit, slightly taken aback, said, "Well, we need all hands on deck for this series."
Virat retorted, "We want all hands on deck in the right condition. We're not just building a team; we're looking out for each other."
The atmosphere in the room became tense as the selectors and team leaders stood firm on their stance to prioritize Ishan's mental well-being over immediate cricket obligations.
This decision set the tone for a team culture that values the mental health of its players, fostering an environment where players feel supported during challenging times
----
Virat and Rohit, having left the squad meeting, decided to grab a bite at a nearby restaurant. As they settled in, the atmosphere was subdued, their thoughts lingering on Ishan's situation. Recognizing the need to check on their teammate and lil brother, they decided to video call Ishan.
Ishan picked up, and the screen revealed a version of him that tugged at their hearts. Dark circles framed tired eyes, and the cheerful smile that usually lit up his face seemed dimmed.
Virat, concerned, spoke first, "Ishan, how are you doing,bacha?"
Ishan managed a weak smile, "Hey, Virat Bhai, Rohit Bhai. I'm hanging in there."
Rohit, his face reflecting genuine worry, asked, "How's everything, Ishu? We heard about your brother's birthday celebration."
Ishan sighed, "It was good, Bhai. But you know how it is."
Virat, with a touch of empathy, added, "Listen, Ishan, we're here for you. It's not just about cricket; your well-being matters to us."
Rohit nodded in agreement, "Absolutely, Ishu. We're a family, and we'll get through this together."
Ishan, touched by their concern, responded, "Thanks, Bhai. It means a lot."
Virat couldn't help but express the emotions more explicitly, "You're not alone in this, Ishan. We'll support you through thick and thin."
Rohit chimed in, "And remember, you're the pocket Dynamo of our team, the heartbeat. We need you back in high spirits."
As the call ended, Virat and Rohit exchanged glances, their concern for Ishan lingering. This episode strengthened their resolve to create a team environment that prioritised the mental health of its players, recognizing that the off-field battles were just as crucial as the on-field ones.
