The captain's vice captain

Chapter 7

Just like a traveller discovering new paths and then suddenly finding himself in a dark dissipated alley all alone was what Rohit felt from kohli's behaviour. It was as if he was unfolding new sides of Virat and the more he tried to reach towards Virat, it felt like distancing himself from his friend. The increasing distance between Rohit and Virat became visible to their teammates and it was also affecting their on-field performance. The inconsistency of their game became a rising concern of the team.

Rohit as the captain was well aware of the importance of Virat's consistent performance, he knew very well that at critical situation the whole team would rely on Virat but his sudden off performance and attitude towards Rohit made him concerned both emotionally and mentally. Rohit could not think straight and blamed himself for the chaos.

Rohit could only think of giving his captaincy to Virat as the solution, for he was in delusion and misunderstanding that 'captaincy' is the reason for his friends turmoil but he was unknown that the reason of turmoil is he, himself. Therefore Rohit went to Rahul Dravid sir to talk to him "good evening sir"

Evening sharma ji (passing the chair) sit... So what brings you here
- Dravid sir

I want to talk to you about some issue which...- Rohit

Issue?...what issue- Dravid sir

It's actually about kohli's form-Rohit

(Laughs) you are worried about cheeku ( laughs) you're meaninglessly worried - Dravid

But sir it's not totally about Virat but also about me - Rahul

Oh! Are you both in love and are afraid to enclose it to the world? - Dravid sir exclaimed in a shocked and notorious tone

Rohit's face turned red as he became embarrassed over the statement and said in a rushed manner," no no sir it's not that it's more important than lo-love"

Oh what is it ? Is there anything more serious than love except for career and death supposedly
- Dravid

Yes, it's actually about career more profoundly about captaincy - Rohit explained with unsurity in his voice with a hint of nervousness

Captaincy? Why is there an issue between both of you ... as you mentioned about all this I did want to talk to you about you and virat ... I noticed both of you acting strange during practice, what is the matter?
- Dravid sir

Sir I (hesitation) want to give captaincy to Virat ... I think he is more deserving than me and it also might halp him with his game form - Rohit

(Sigh) listen captain Sharma when we selected you, we kept in mind about Virat's form, he is a consistent player his form is not only for league stages or for finals he is not Surya neither he is Gauti he is Kohli the next Sachin, the king of cricket, ... he will take you to final,  make you win the final and for him to deliver a consistent performance he has to remain free of other things like captaincy... it's a burden and during Mahi's reign he used to captain the test matches ... during that time you have seen his form flactuate so what makes you think that he is a better captain than you
- Dravid sir

Rohit remained silent

Or are you unsure about yourself.... If you aren't sure about yourself then you are wrong and you are questioning BCCI's decision... Sourav's decision, more than anyone he believes in you and I bet that no one in the country has a better eye to recognise a player other than Sourav. - Dravid

It's not that I underestimate myself it's just.... - Rohit

Don't overthink , don't take unnecessary stress just chill within 10 days we will be heading to England so relax and concentrate, about Virat and his game ... just let them be cricket is his soul - Dravid

Rohit's inner monologue

How do I tell you sir that it feels like Virat's soul is in somewhere else as if he has given his heart to someone else
        (end)
Unbeknownst to Rohit Virat's soul has already become his.