when 77 met 32 [ishman ff] [shubish]

2025

The days went by in a blur after that conversation with the team. The vacation got over in the next few days and the atmosphere was not cheerful at all. The other members of the team noticed something off but decided to let it go thinking that it was something about Ishan again. Even the wives of the cricketers thought that the air was too stiff.

The day they were leaving for Mumbai Anushka had a conversation with Suhani "what is wrong?" she asked. "I cannot lie to you di there is something wrong indeed but I can't tell you what exactly it is." She replied packing her bags.

"you don't have to tell me, I just wanted to say that take care of yourself and don't think too much about whatever it is. Sometimes when under stress everything plays a trick on the brain. Something extremely normal would start looking like a catastrophe to you." What she said made a lot of sense actually, Suhani thought, she really was starting to over analyse things. "thank you di, I'll keep that in mind."

They took a flight back to Mumbai. After a few days they would be leaving for USA for the tournament there. They were low on practice, then started the aggressive training sessions. Nobody had time to even breath properly. They would all forget about the matter at hand while practicing during the days and would only remember it when in the confines of their rooms at night.

The physical banter during the day and the mental one during the night was taking a toll on them. They were still focused on the things they discussed though. They did not talk to each other more than they did before the vacation to not arouse any suspicion. They wanted for things to look as normal as possible.

They tried to keep eyes on Rishabh as much as possible but there was nothing unusual about him or his game apart from the fact that he talked way less than he used to. But that after the departure of Ishan from the team is not unusual either.

Abhishek on the other hand was starting to notice suhani's unusual behaviour. She wasn't as tactful as she used to be on pitch during practices. And she looked concerned about something, I mean there were things to be very concerned about, but that look said some other stories. But abhishek decided to ignore the storm.

Abhishek was standing by the stands looking at the fading figures running around on the field. It was his break time which he was spending on making up useless things in head and not actually resting. He was deep in thoughts when a hand was placed on his shoulder and a cup was extended in front of him. Shocked he jumped back, only to come face to face with Mayank.

Mayank markhande has been on the national team for quite some time now but he was yet to make his debut in any of the international matches. He was hired up first, last year to play in place of a regular player in 2024 because he got his leg sprained. But then he couldn't play because the said player was suddenly well enough to play. Since then the bcci has kept him around in certain matches and tournaments never once giving him a chance to actually play.

This time Mayank was selected amongst the 15-member squad for the tour in USA. Not sure if he would get a chance to play this time either but he was on the team nonetheless. "kahan ghum hai?" Mayank asked abhishek , getting him out of his thoughts. "kuch nahi bas aese hi." Abhishek replied.

"coffee?" Mayank asked extending the cup in front of him again and this time abhishek took it with a 'thank you'. "why are you not practicing?" abhishek asked. "I practiced this morning, I don't need to practice too much." He said. His voice low on the last half of the sentence.

Abhishek felt bad for Mayank honestly. He was a nice player he deserved at least one chance. Maybe he was being biased because they play the ipl together and he is a friend to him but still being in the team but not exactly is not an easy work. He wanted to say something to console him but then he thought better of it.

"why do you look so tense?" Mayank questioned again. "maybe because of the tournament. I haven't prepared much you know." Abhishek answer hoping to not have aroused his suspicion but how careful can a person be? Mayank has known him for quite some time now. They play together after all, of course, Mayank knew that something was wrong but he didn't pry any further.

Just then shubman came back from the practice ground and was taking his leg pads off. He was looking gloomy again (his new normal). He got a call from someone and he rushed out the grounds right after. Abhishek was left dumbfounded again. who called him? abhishek decided to go behind him.

He left the empty mug in mayak's care mumbled an 'excuse me' and ran after shubman. He rushed out the way shubman left but he was a bit too late because shubman was nowhere in sight now. He thought of returning back to the ground and turned around but just as he turned he saw Suhani rushing somewhere, so he went behind her instead.

"hello, what is wrong with you? Why would you call me in the middle of a practice session." Abhishek heard Suhani talking to someone, on call probably. "no. I still have time left, we have talked about this okay. And don't contact me." She snapped on the call and before she could come out abhishek hid himself and watched Suhani walk into the grounds again.

What?? What did she mean by all that? Abhishek's thoughts were jumbled. Every possible scenario that he tried to make up out of that conversation, all lead to just doubts. Nothing could possibly explain that phone call. Could this call be related to cricket at all?? maybe she was talking to the management, speaking about the trainings? It could have been some personal work call from back home also, right?

Abhishek wanted to believe it. But he also wanted to ask about it to Suhani and let her explain things herself before jumping to conclusions. But he can't bring this topic up in a casual conversation with her without sounding like an absolute creep. "abhiiiiii come back for the practice." It was surya kumar Yadav that was now calling for abhishek to return to his training.

Virat and rohit on the other hand were busy keeping an eye on Rishabh. there was nothing getting in their grasp though. There was something wrong with him and that was a fact. But what was it? They tried to keep track on his behavioural habits.

Rishabh used to wake up early and work out before breakfast. He still did that but the span of the work out session was less then before. He now goes to work out not before the sun is up and there are people around. Then he goes for the practice session with everyone else. But there was something strange about that too. He disappears from the field for certain amount of time before joining in again.

But that couldn't be an issue, right? Everyone slacked off work sometimes. And also, he avoided practicing on the grounds when everybody else left. He would practice until someone is still practicing and then he would go back to the dorms with the same person. Usually shubman.

They discussed about this information when they all went out for the dinner 2 days before the tournament. They noted the odds down and decided to corner Rishabh on the basis of them after the tour with USA gets over.

Abhishek kept his doubts about Suhani to himself for the time being, to not alert her. He wanted to pry further on this topic before bringing it up in front of everyone else. He wanted to trust her. His doubts could be completely wrong and exaggerated of course. But he didn't want to take any chances regarding this matter.