Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 129

The press room was packed, cameras flashing as Rahul sat at the table, his expression composed yet thoughtful. The journalists wasted no time, diving straight into questions about India's campaign in the 2023 World Cup.

"Rahul, after the 2023 final, you faced immense scrutiny. The criticism, the trolling—it was relentless. How did you deal with that?"

Rahul exhaled slowly, his fingers lightly tapping against the table before he finally answered. "It wasn't easy," he admitted. "When you give your everything, and it still doesn't go your way, it stays with you. And then when people start questioning your intent, your ability—it gets to you. I won't lie and say it didn't."

A murmur went through the reporters as he continued. "It took time to move past it. But I had people who stood by me—my family, my teammates. I focused on what I could control: getting better, being ready for the next challenge. Because at the end of the day, you play for the team, for the people who believe in you. Not for the noise outside."

From the side of the room, Meera watched him, standing slightly behind Arjun. Her arms were crossed, her eyes sharp and focused as she scanned the crowd, always alert. But her mind? It had drifted somewhere else.

She hadn't been there.

In 2023, when the entire world had turned on him, when his name was being dragged through every headline, every social media debate—she hadn't been there. She had still been away, buried in her missions, lost in the life she had chosen. Arjun had kept her updated, of course. She had known about the heartbreak of the loss, the anger of the fans, the way Rahul had been left to bear the brunt of it. But she hadn't been by his side.

She should have been.

"You okay?" Arjun's voice broke through her thoughts.

Meera blinked, shaking herself out of it. She turned her head slightly to look at him. "Yeah. Just thinking."

Arjun studied her for a moment before nodding toward the press table where Rahul was still speaking. "He came through it. You know he did."

"I know," she murmured.

Rahul was stronger than most people realized. He had endured it all—the loss, the hate, the pressure—and yet, here he was, still leading, still standing tall.

She just wished she had been there to stand with him.

A journalist leaned forward, seizing the moment.

"Rahul, there's always been talk about your batting position. You've played across the order—from opening to the middle order—and now, with Rishabh back in the team, many believe he's the preferred wicketkeeper-batsman, especially with his aggressive style. What's your take on that competition?"

Rahul didn't react immediately. He simply nodded, as if he had expected this question. He adjusted the mic slightly before speaking, his voice even.

"Look, cricket is a team sport. You do what's needed for the team, not just what's comfortable for you. Over the years, I've played in different roles—opened, batted in the middle order, kept wickets—because that's what was required at the time."

The journalists were scribbling down notes as he continued.

"As for Rishabh, he's a phenomenal player. We all know that. The way he plays, the impact he has—he brings a different energy. But I don't see it as competition. We do what works for the team, I hope when the time comes for him, he doesn't this as competition. It's about giving the team the best balance. Some days, that means I keep wickets. Some days, it doesn't. Some days, I bat at number five, some days at three. It's part of the job."