Listen To Your Heart.

Chapter: 4

Although Ishan and Shubman had never spoken during their time in the under-16 team, Ishan couldn't help but admire Shubman's talent from afar. Shubman's batting was nothing short of extraordinary, and his artistic style on the field was impossible to ignore.

In the team, Shubman was renowned for his graceful and skillful play. He never jumped to conclusions or blamed others without evidence, earning him the respect of his teammates, including Ishan.

So when Shubman walked onto the field for his debut IPL match, Ishan understood the significance of the moment. He knew how much it meant to Shubman and how hard he had worked to get there.

As the match unfolded and Shubman showcased his talent with the bat, Ishan couldn't help but be in awe of his innings. When Shubman fell just short of his half-century, Ishan felt a pang of sympathy for him.

But instead of dwelling on the dismissal or reveling in the momentary victory, Ishan chose to acknowledge Shubman's brilliance. He applauded Shubman's innings, encouraging his teammates and the crowd to do the same.

For Ishan, it wasn't just about the game or the competition – it was about recognizing and appreciating talent and sportsmanship, even in the face of rivalry.

As the year wrapped up, MI clinched the IPL trophy with Shubman Gill earning the title of best emerging player. Amidst the celebration ceremony, Shubman noticed Ishan Kishan among the crowd. Although they weren't close, Shubman considered reaching out to Ishan since he was the only familiar face from the MI camp.

However, seeing Ishan laughing and chatting with senior players like Hardik Pandya made Shubman hesitate. He felt a bit shy about interrupting their conversation and decided to wait for a better moment.

"Ishan looks busy with the seniors," Shubman thought to himself, keeping his distance for now. "Maybe I'll catch him later."

As fate would have it, Shubman and Ishan's paths crossed once again at a cricket commercial event organized in collaboration with an orphanage. The event aimed to bring joy to the children while promoting the spirit of cricket.

At the cricket commercial event, Shubman found himself standing alongside Ishan Kishan, his former rival on the field. The presence of Ishan, along with players like Surya and Shreyas, made Shubman a bit uneasy. He couldn't shake off the memories of their past encounters, filled with competition and tension.

As they arrived at the venue, Shubman kept to himself, feeling a bit out of place amidst the festivities. Ishan, however, noticed Shubman's discomfort and decided to make an effort to bridge the gap between them.

"Shubman, right?" Ishan approached cautiously, trying to break the ice. "I remember our matches from the under-16 days. You were quite the player."

Shubman nodded, feeling a bit surprised by Ishan's acknowledgment. "Yeah, same to you. You were always tough to play against."

Ishan smiled, sensing Shubman's guardedness. "Listen, I know we've had our differences on the field, but today's about something bigger than cricket. Let's put that aside and make a difference for these kids, yeah?"

Shubman hesitated, but Ishan's sincerity struck a chord with him. "Yeah, you're right. Let's do this."

Throughout the event, Ishan made subtle efforts to involve Shubman in the activities, offering encouragement and support along the way. Whether it was teaming up for a friendly game of cricket or engaging in arts and crafts with the children, Ishan's gestures helped ease the tension between them.

"Come on, Shubman, let's show these kids what we've got," Ishan said with a grin, nudging Shubman towards the cricket pitch.

With Ishan's guidance, Shubman gradually began to relax, allowing himself to enjoy the moment and connect with the children. As they interacted with the kids and shared laughs together, Shubman realized that beneath their rivalry on the field, there was a shared passion for the game and a common desire to make a positive impact.

As the cricket commercial event came to an end, Shubman felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to bond with Ishan and the other players, despite their past rivalry. As they prepared to leave the orphanage, Ishan approached Shubman with a smile.

"Hey, Shubman, I'm glad we got to spend some time together today.We never got to talk in the camp." Ishan said warmly. "It's nice to put aside the competition and focus on something bigger than cricket, isn't it?"

Shubman nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Ishan that he hadn't expected. "Yeah, definitely. Thanks for making me feel welcome, Ishan."

Ishan grinned. "Of course, mate. We may have been opponents on the field, but off the field, we're all part of the same cricketing family."

As they said their goodbyes to the children and the event organizers, Shubman felt a newfound sense of connection with Ishan and the other players. Perhaps, he thought,he judged Ishan too quickly.

A few days later, Shubman received an unexpected invitation from Ishan to join him and the rest of the MI team for a friendly game of cricket at the local ground. Despite his initial apprehension, Shubman accepted the invitation, eager to continue building on the newfound friendship they had forged at the orphanage event.

As they faced off on the cricket field once again, this time as teammates rather than rivals, Shubman couldn't help but marvel at the transformation of their relationship. With each run scored and wicket taken, Shubman and Ishan grew closer, bonding over their shared love for the game and the camaraderie of the team.

At the end of the day, as they shook hands and exchanged smiles, Shubman knew that he had felt a bond  in Ishan.

Ishan didn’t seem as bad to Shubman as he used to thought in his camp days.