The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the practice field. The Indian cricket team had gathered for another demanding training session, the air filled with a mix of camaraderie and tension. Virat Kohli, the captain, stood at the center, his brow slightly furrowed as he watched his teammates warm up.
“Alright, team! Let’s get this going! I want to see intensity today!” he called out, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of weariness.
As the players moved into their drills, Virat noticed the slight detachment in some of their movements. They were distracted, perhaps caught up in the noise of social media and the relentless scrutiny of the fans. But little did they know, Virat was fighting a battle of his own—one that he refused to let them in on.
After a particularly grueling drill, Rohit Sharma jogged over to him, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “Kya hai, Vi? Aaj thoda alag lag rahe ho, sab theek hai?” Rohit asked, concern creeping into his tone.
Virat offered a reassuring smile, masking the storm of thoughts brewing inside him. “Bas yaar, long day hai. We’ll get through it. Just focus on the practice,” he replied, clapping Rohit on the shoulder.
As they continued with their drills, Virat felt the weight of expectations press down on him. The management was breathing down his neck, demanding better performances while the BCCI scrutinized every move. On top of that, the online hate was relentless, with fans quick to blame him for any misstep. It was exhausting, but he wouldn’t show it. His teammates needed him strong.
During a break, Virat spotted Shubman Gill chatting animatedly with Hardik Pandya, laughter bubbling between them. Virat felt a pang of longing for that carefree spirit, a feeling that had been slowly eroded by the pressure of leadership. He knew he had to protect that joy for his teammates, even if it meant carrying the burden alone.
“Shubhi!” Virat called, beckoning the young opener over. “Aaj ka practice kaisa chal raha hai? Kya aap kuch special plan kar rahe ho?”
“Bhai, sirf practice kar raha hoon. Aaj toh mein kuch alag nahi karne wala,” Shubman replied with a grin. “Lekin, agar aap ice cream ka promise karte ho, toh main toh aur bhi achha kar sakta hoon!”
Virat laughed, enjoying the lighthearted banter. “Ice cream toh banti hai! Lekin achhe performances bhi zaroori hain. Samjhe?”
As practice wrapped up, the team headed back to the hotel. Virat took charge, ensuring everyone was hydrated and in good spirits. “Chalo, aaj lunch ke liye kuch khaas karte hain! Sabko bhookh lagi hogi?”
“Bhai, kabhi toh apne liye bhi kuch socho!” Hardik teased, but there was a glimmer of sincerity in his eyes.
Virat waved him off, but the concern lingered in the back of his mind. He had been feeling drained lately, but he brushed it aside. There was no room for weakness; not now.
Once they arrived at the hotel, Virat retreated to his room, seeking solace in the quiet. He opened his laptop and checked social media, only to be met with a barrage of negativity. Comments accusing him of being too aggressive, of failing his team, and worse, began to weigh heavily on his heart.
He closed the laptop with a heavy sigh, knowing he had to put on a brave face for his team. They were like family, and he couldn’t let them see him falter.
Later, during dinner, the atmosphere felt lighter. They shared stories and laughter, but Virat felt a lingering unease. His teammates were wrapped up in their own world, oblivious to the storm brewing around him.
As the night wore on, Virat couldn’t shake the feeling that he was alone in this fight. He knew he had to keep the team’s spirits high while carrying the burdens of leadership, but the thought of it left him feeling increasingly isolated.
“Vi, sab theek hai?” Ashwin asked, breaking through his thoughts. “Tum thode different lag rahe ho aaj.”
“Sab theek hai, yaar. Just tired,” Virat assured him, but inside, he felt a flicker of vulnerability. He was carrying the weight of their dreams on his shoulders, and he needed to find a way to lift them up without letting them know the cost.
As the evening came to a close, Virat stood at the window of his hotel room, looking out at the city lights twinkling in the distance. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead. He would protect his team, no matter what.
