This is just fictional, it has some real incident included but with slight changes
After Ind vs Pak, 2021
Completing the formalities and the handshake Viral started walking towards the pavilion looking down. He went straight to the dressing room. The team followed him and there was complete silence in the room. The usual post match banter was replaced by a suffocating silence. Virat knew he had to address the team.
Virat - Right everyone, heads up, We fought hard, that's what matters. This isn't the end, it's just a setback. We'll get back stronger... He said with a fake cheer in his voice
His teammates offered thin smiles and murmured agreement, but Virat saw the dejection in their eyes
Everyone nodded and went back, and some got busy on phone calls and all. Only Rohit and Virat were there in the room, Rohit was sitting in a corner looking down
Virat went to him and sat beside him patting his back
Virat- It's okay Ro, we will comeback stronger. Itna bhi kya sad hai, mujhse abhi gussa hai because I didnt let you have ice cream?
He tried to joke and cheer Rohit up
Rohit looked at him and said- You don't need to pretend in front of me I know you are hurting too
Virat turned to the other side- Kya bol raha hai year, kucch samjh nhi aaraha. Ofc we lost to accha nhi lag raha but pretend, what are u saying?
Rohit sighed knowing Virat still won't tell him everything
Virat- Meko PC m jana hai. You all go back to the hotel I'll be late... Virat left the room saying that.
During the press conference
A reporter asked- Sir do you think it would be better if Ishan Kishan opened in place of Rohit Sharma?
Hearing the question, Virat clenched his fist under the table trying to control his anger
He fought to control his temper
Virat- Sir will you drop Rohit Sharma from T20I? You will drop Rohit Sharma? You know what he did in the last t20I we played!
He shaked his head and muttered unbelievable and then continued:Sir agar aapko controversy chaiye to pls mujhe pehle hi bata dijiye (Love this moment ✨)
He then took a deep breath and answered rest of the questions
Few hours later,
At the team hotel
Returning to the team hotel, he entered his room to find it cloaked in darkness.
Virat - Rohit are u here?.. He called out, his voice laced with concern.
Silence answered him.
Virat - Rohit, you here?
He tried again, flipping on the light switch.
A lone figure sat on the balcony, silhouetted against the cityscape. Virat walked out and settled into the chair beside Rohit.
Virat - What are you doing out here all alone, Ro?
He asked gently keeping his hand on Rohit's shoulder
Rohit turned towards him, and Virat's heart sank at the sight of his red-rimmed eyes.
Rohit (quavering voice) - I'm so sorry, Vi. I should have played better today. You had to face all those questions, all that criticism... because of me.
Virat- Kisne bola aisa? Everyone has a off day, and it just wasn't your day today
Ro- But why only today, when my team needed me? I hate myself so much, I couldn't give my team a good start. U were fighting alone trying to build partnership but..
Vi - Kya bol raha hai panda, pagal hai tu? We win as a team and if we lose, we lose as a team, okay? We have the rest of the tournament right, abhi uspe focus krte hai.
Ro- But Vi.. He tried to say something
Virat- Ro yaar main baat nhi kr rha tujhse.. He seriously said and went back to the room
Rohit went behind him- Ab kya kardiya maine?
Vi- Tu panda hai you can't look like a monkey with this red face and eyes, wo to main hu na, how can u do this to me!!
He said in a serious tone but ended up sulking and the seriousness in his voice made Rohit laugh
Rohit- Hhahahaa bandar hi hai tu
Virat got irritated at that and threw a pillow at him which Rohit successfully dogged and showed his tounge
Their banter continued and they after having their dinner, layed on the bed relaxing. Rohit immediately slept as he was tired
But Virat lay awake in bed, the silence of the room amplifying the roar of the crowd that echoed in his mind. Images of dropped catches, miscalculated field placements, and Pakistan batsmen cruising to victory replayed on a loop behind his closed eyelids.
He tossed and turned, the weight of expectation pressing down on him.
The words of the BCCI officials and selectors echoed in his ears: "Virat, how do you explain the bowling attack failing to defend such a total?"
"Shouldn't your captaincy be held accountable for a ten-wicket defeat?"
"Sir with due I take up the responsibility of the loss, yes the bowling unit kind of faltered under pressure but I trust my team and I know they can make a comeback" he remembered saying back to the official
"This, this ego of your that I-can-do-no-wrong is costing us the matches we should have easily won." The official's words echoing in his ears
Virat squeezed his eyes shut, the official's words echoing in his mind like a taunt.
"Strike rate of 115... This ego... this attitude..."
Was he the one dragging the team down?
"Am I failing the team?" he whispered into the darkness.
Virat tossed to the other side,
Was he letting the team down? Was he past his prime?
Virat squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to sleep. But even sleep evaded him.
I'm so nervous rn. Did u like it?
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