Some things bigger than IPL

Part 4

After the IPL, we met in Mumbai for our flight to England.

As happens every year, when we meet for the first time after fighting against each other for two months of IPL, everyone feels extra loving towards each other.

There's this game called PUBG, goodness knows why people like it so much, but most of the youngsters of our team love it. Even Mahi bhai plays it--and plays best, of course. He is the best in everything he does.

Shikhar, Rohit and I, the only people not playing, were talking about the coming WC. Then Rohit felt hungry as usual, and the two of them went to get some food.

I was casually observing the juniors as they played.

Yuzi and Kuldeep were in the same team as usual, and they were clearly winning, judging by Yuzi's comments like, "Yeah, burnt him to bits!" and "Haha, find us, dolts!" and. "Burnt the entire hotel, Kuli!" accompanied by cackles of evil laughter.

But Kuldeep...

Normally Kuldeep also joins in Yuzi's comments, but today he is subdued.

"Nice move, Yuzi!" he cried once, but his voice lacked familiarity somehow.

He sounds kind of scared... Like he's suffering from inferiority complex even in a video game.

Suddenly I felt terribly worried.

What are we going to do if our lead spinner stops believing in himself?

What will happen in the World Cup?

"Virat," I suddenly heard someone say behind me.

It was Mahi bhai, whose team had already lost.

"Yes?"

"Handle him with care," he said quietly.

I realised that he was following my gaze, which was fixed on Kuldeep.

"Handle him with...?" I began.

"Care, yes," he clarified.

I got his message. I was suddenly reminded of all the times, even as captain, I've lost my temper on the field, shouted at my teammates, used harsh words on them--sometimes when things go wrong on the field, my temper on the bowlers and fielders makes it 10 times worse.

"Sure, Mahi bhai," I said, feeling rather upset that he thinks I might speak harshly to Kuldeep even after what happened.

Yuzi's triumphant shout echoed through the waiting room; he gave Kuldeep, who was sitting beside him, a one armed hug, and they high-fived.

Kuldeep was grinning, too. It came as a huge relief.

"Mahi, next match!" called Kedar.

"I'm counting on you, Virat," Mahi bhai told me, as he went to join Kedar.