Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 75

The sun was warm, casting a soft glow across the lawn where Virat, Rohit, Rahul, and MS were relaxing after an intense morning workout. Nearby, the kids—Sammy, Vami, and Akaay—ran around, chasing each other with boundless energy, their laughter ringing out in the fresh morning air.

MS leaned back, watching the kids for a moment before turning his attention to the group. “So,” he said, looking pointedly at Virat, Rohit, and Rahul, “are you three still beating yourselves up about that clean sweep against New Zealand?”

Virat shrugged, his gaze distant. “Pata nahi, Mahi bhai. But… are they wrong?” he murmured, a hint of frustration seeping into his voice. “We did let them down. That 12-year streak was more than just a record—it was a legacy. And I’m struggling with form; every day it feels like the whole world—the internet, officials, former players—wants us to retire.”

Rohit sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We just won a World Cup, and now we've lost series to teams we’ve always been on top of. I feel like I’ve ruined what you and Virat built as captains.” He avoided looking at Virat, as if the weight of those words was too much to bear.

Virat immediately shook his head. “No, Ro. It’s not like we were losing on purpose. I should have done better.,” he said, his tone firm.

Rohit shot back, “Acha, so were you getting out on ducks and single-digit scores on purpose?”

As the two traded barbs, Rahul looked over at MS, raising an eyebrow. “Absolute morons,” he muttered, a slight grin tugging at his lips.

MS chuckled, shaking his head. “Your seniors, kid.”

“Your kids, MS,” Rahul shot back, making MS laugh.

“Alright, alright, enough,” MS finally said, holding up a hand to silence them. “Stop it, you both.”

The two fell silent, and the tension eased as they shared a quiet moment, watching the kids play in the grass.

The group sat back as MS leaned forward, the usual calm yet commanding presence in his eyes as he looked at Virat and Rohit. “Look,” he began, “I know losing that series was tough. But let me remind you—it’s cricket. You can’t expect to stay undefeated forever.”

Virat frowned. “But, Mahi bhai… twelve years. We held that record for twelve years. We’ve let the fans down. I’ve let myself down.”

MS nodded, understanding the frustration in his voice. “Cheeks, I get it. It’s hard to see it from where you’re sitting, but there’s a big picture here. Cricket is a game of ebbs and flows—no one wins every time. Sure, we built something special, but nothing in this game, or in life, lasts unchanged forever.”

Rohit chimed in, his tone a mix of regret and disappointment. “I still feel like I should’ve done more. Maybe I should’ve led differently… or tried something new with the lineup. It’s like we just lost our grip, and it all slipped through.”

MS shook his head, giving Rohit a reassuring look. “Ro, the game changes constantly. You can strategize all you want, but sometimes things just don’t go your way. And besides, you didn’t get us here alone. This team became what it is because we each brought something to the table. We can analyze mistakes all day long, but the truth is, you all played your hearts out. That’s what counts.”

He let his words sink in for a moment, watching the kids play in the background. “Mistakes were made, sure,” he continued. “There were fielding lapses, batting slumps, missed opportunities. But these things happen. You’re allowed to have a bad days. What matters is how you respond. Are you going to let one series define the legacy you’ve built?”