Some things bigger than IPL

Part 1

~From Kohli's point of view~

Whoa, Moeen Ali sure had read Kuldeep well, I thought, as the first ball of his 4th over was dispatched for a 4.

Kuldeep looked rattled; he had already gone for over 10 an over.

The next ball goes for a 6. Then a 4. Then again a 6.

RCB is playing really, really well after a long time. I go to the middle of the pitch every time to pat Moeen on the back.

But...

I don't feel completely comfortable.

I know that look on Kuldeep's face. He's near losing it completely.

This is IPL, damn it! I told myself strictly. Hadn't Kuldeep himself dismissed me in the first leg?

The next ball is a wide.

Yes, Kuldeep is definitely losing it. He keeps looking at DK after every ball, but DK is not Mahi bhai, I thought with a wry grin on my face.

The next ball is again a six. 27 off the over already!

As Kuldeep comes back to bowl the last ball, his face is totally crumpled, and he looks like he's about to cry.

Doesn't he realise he has almost lured Ali into his trap--albeit at a very high price... But still...

Look at me, Kuldeep.

Kuldeep does look at me suddenly. His eyes are glazed over, poor kid.

I nod my head slightly. Give him the same ball--just a whisker slower.

Kuldeep understood what I meant.

He did what I told him--and guess what, Ali was caught out. I couldn't help the slightest bit of satisfaction which I always feel when Kuldeep and I make a ploy and it works.

Then I quenched it swiftly. God, I'm RCB's captain!

I suddenly realised with wonder that Kuldeep had obeyed me, his opposition's captain. And then of course, I got to thinking that I had adviced my opposition's lead bowler.

Whatever is the world coming to??

But the thing is...it came naturally to both of us. Two Indians conspiring to get an Englishman out. That should be normal.

But this is IPL...

I shook my head to clear my thoughts, and my eyes find Kuldeep, kneeling on the ground, his chin trembling. He's clearly trying extremely hard not to cry.

I am itching to go over to the curly haired little kid who happens to be my national teammate.

But I have experienced the world enough, and I can't give in to this wish. I have to pretend to be unaffected, at least during the match.

There are tears in his eyes now as he drinks water; Nitish Rana has his arm around his shoulders.

Just what I wanted to do, but I'm glad there's someone there for Kuldeep.

I inch closer to listen to them.

"You got him out, Kul, you got him out!" Nitish was saying in a cheerful voice.

"After going for 27!' cried Kuldeep in a choked voice.

"For heaven's sake, it's just one match. What does it matter?" Nitish tightened his arm around Kuldeep; there was something extremely childish and sweet about Kuldeep that makes everyone become hopelessly fond of him.

I'm a victim of that, myself.

"Don't try to pretend this doesn't affect our chances for the playoffs, Nitish," said Kuldeep, trying to sound cold and grown-up. He fails--he still sounds exactly like the 24-year-old kid he is. Or younger.

Look at me, Kuldeep. I find myself thinking again. Look at me once, please...

Just then, the Timeout gets over and Nitish pulls Kuldeep up--and Kuldeep again turns to look at me.

I dunno how--do we have telepathy or something?!

I felt terrible to see his defeated look.

I gave him a small grin and flexed my arm casually. Be strong, kid.

I guess Kuldeep gets my message again, because he tries to smile. He isn't very successful, because he's still teary, but at least he tried.

I mentally hugged the life out of him.

He doesn't deserve this; but he'll have to learn to get over things like this.