Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 62

The sun was barely up, when light entered the room illuminating the anxious faces of the team as they prepared to leave for the stadium. An air of apprehension hung heavy, the shadows of yesterday's incidents still casting doubt and worry. 

Athiya stood at the periphery, her heart a mix of pride and fear as she watched Rahul engage with Virat. Although he wore a confident expression, she sensed the weight of apprehension behind it.

Meera, noticing Athiya's unease, stepped closer, her voice a soft murmur. "He'll be okay. He has you, and we're all here to support him." Her reassurance, however well-intentioned, did little to quell the knot in Athiya's stomach.

The camaraderie of the team was palpable, yet Athiya's gaze remained fixed on Rahul.

Rohit approached, his demeanor unusually serious. "Remember, everyone—this is our chance to prove ourselves. Let's stay sharp." His eyes met Rahul's, offering silent support amidst the chaos of emotions.

Anushka stepped forward, attempting to lighten the mood. "And let's not forget to have fun while we're at it! Laughter can help ease the tension," she said, sharing a knowing smile with Athiya.

Rishabh and Shubman joined in, bringing a spark of energy. "Come on, we've trained hard for this! We're ready!" Rishabh exclaimed, slapping Rahul on the back, while Shubman nodded in agreement, his enthusiasm infectious. 

As the team finally made their way out, the families watched them leave, a unified front of support and love. They knew the challenges that lay ahead on the field, but they also knew that the strength of their bonds would carry them through.

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The Wankhede Stadium, hummed with life. The series stood at 2-0, with New Zealand leading. India needed this win, not only to salvage pride but to prove themselves on their home turf. Security was tighter than ever; a small army of guards and officials scanned every corner of the stadium for potential weak spots, ensuring everything was set for what promised to be an intense day.

By the time Rohit Sharma walked onto the field, accompanied by Arya, the stadium had come alive. Arya moved with a quiet focus, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, mentally checking off each protocol. Rohit, ever the composed captain, looked at ease as he strode to the middle for the toss. The coin went up, glinting under the morning sun, and when it landed, New Zealand had won. They chose to bat first.

The field was set, and Arya exchanged a quick nod with Rohit before he rejoined the team, slipping effortlessly into his role as captain. She watched him walk back to the huddle, his figure framed against the backdrop of a packed stadium, which was now beginning to fill with the roars and cheers of eager fans streaming in.

Backstage, in the shadow of the stands, Ayan, Arjun, and Meera were running a tight ship, making sure there wasn't a single detail overlooked. The selected XI was set: Rohit, Virat, Rishabh, Shubman, Yashasvi, Siraj, Washington Sundar, Jadeja, Ashwin, Akashdeep, and Sarfaraz.

As the game got underway, Arya moved back to her designated area near the dugout. She kept a steady eye on the field, her heartbeat thumping in sync with the roar of the crowd, which seemed to pulse through every corner of the stadium. She gave Ayan a quick nod as he stationed himself near the dressing room, while Meera and Arjun made their rounds, meticulously checking every detail before settling into their positions.

Meera, in her usual role of coordinating between the security and logistics teams, kept herself busy discussing with Arjun. Yet her eyes frequently darted toward the dressing room, where Rahul sat on a bench just outside the door. Though he wore a calm expression, Meera could see the subtle flicker of frustration in his eyes. She just couldn't reach out to him right now, she had to finish this to ensure there were no harms and that her inability to go to him was causing her more frustration.