“Hey, Ash!” Virat called out, sitting down beside Ash with his usual bright smile.
“The boys are doing a great job” Ashwin said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a flicker of emotion.
“Right!” Virat replied cheerfully, his gaze fixed on the field.
Ashwin hesitated for a moment, then decided to ease into the conversation. “You know, Virat, there comes a time in cricket when a player realizes it’s not about holding on but about letting go gracefully, for the betterment of the team and oneself.”
Virat turned to look at him, his smile fading slightly as he processed Ashwin’s words.
“Wait, Ash… are you trying to say what I think you are?” Virat’s voice was soft, almost disbelieving.
Ashwin gave a small nod, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.
Virat didn’t wait for another second. He pulled Ashwin into a tight hug, his eyes glistening. “You’ve been a pillar for all of us, Ash. It’s hard to imagine cricket without you.”
Ashwin’s hand gently patted Virat’s back as they both let a few tears slip silently.
Just then, Jadeja appeared, his sharp eyes catching the emotional moment. “What’s going on here?” he asked with a teasing smirk. “Why are you two crying? Don’t tell me Ash is retiring or something.”
Neither Virat nor Ashwin responded, their silence confirming Jadeja’s casual joke was no joke at all.
Jadeja froze, his disbelief evident. “No way… Ash, you’re really…?” His voice faltered, his mind suddenly flooded with memories—of their victories, struggles, laughter, and countless unforgettable moments on and off the field.
Jadeja blinked rapidly, trying to compose himself as he sat down beside Ashwin. “Ash… how can you even think about leaving? We’ve been through everything together. It’s not going to be the same without you.”
Ashwin placed a hand on Jadeja’s shoulder, his tone calm yet firm. “Jaddu, nothing in life is permanent. We all have our moments in the sun, and then it’s time to step back and let the next generation shine. It’s not about losing, it’s about knowing when to walk away gracefully.”
Jadeja shook his head, still struggling to accept it. “But you’re not just anyone, Ash. You’re the one we look up to. How can we fill that void?”
Ashwin smiled softly, his voice filled with reassurance. “Do you remember when Mahi bhai stepped back? We thought we couldn’t move on without him either. But we did, Jaddu. Not because we forgot him, but because he prepared us for the future. He trusted us, and now I trust you all to carry this forward.”
Jadeja lowered his head, his heart heavy but his mind beginning to understand. “It still doesn’t feel right, Ash. You’re family.”
Ashwin’s eyes glistened, but his smile remained steady. “And family is forever, Jaddu. I might not be there on the field, but I’ll always be with you all in spirit, cheering you on, watching you grow. There’s no need to be sad.”
Jadeja sighed, a small smile creeping back onto his face. “Fine, but promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?” Ashwin asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t even think about retiring from the IPL anytime soon. We still need you to take care of the young guys and, more importantly, save me during those pressure overs!” Jadeja said, his playful tone finally returning.
Ashwin chuckled, the tension easing. “I’ll hold off on that for now, Jaddu. But only because you’d be hopeless without me.”
Jadeja laughed, shaking his head. “Hopeless? Says the guy who’s making us all cry today. But seriously, Ash, we’re going to miss you. Just don’t disappear completely, okay?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Jaddu,” Ashwin said with a smile. “You’ll still see me around, probably criticizing your fielding.”
Jadeja grinned, the warmth of their bond easing the ache of the moment. “Deal. But don’t forget, you promised to still be there for us. No backing out.”
Ashwin nodded, and for a moment, silence settled between them, filled with unspoken gratitude and respect. ______________
Ashwin has announced his retirement, and it truly hurts. I’m going to miss him and Jaddu so much in Test cricket. They’ve given us unforgettable moments, and it’s hard to imagine the team without them.
Yes, we’ll still see them in the IPL, but Test cricket is Test cricket and IPL is IPL
At this point, I honestly don’t even know what I’ve written or what I’m writing now.
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