[A/n:How are you all?❤️
Wrote it because both sleep and internet refused to come.]

The crisp of winter air surrounded the cricket ground as the team prepared for their upcoming match. At one of the benches, Shubman Gill, with a serious expression, loudly declared his latest resolution.

“I simply cannot stand Ishan Kishan!” Shubman said, arms crossed, as he rearranged his gear.

Kuldeep, his close friend and fellow player, raised an eyebrow skeptically. Knowing Shubman’s tendency for dramatic statements, he took a sip of his sports drink, watching him with an amused glint in his eyes.

“I’m serious,Kul. I can’t stand him!” Shubman insisted, pounding the bench with his fist to emphasize his words.

“Uh-huh, sure,” Kuldeep responded, struggling to hold back a smile.

Shubman scowled and tried to ignore kuldeep's apparent disbelief. But, as always, reality was a bit more complicated.

Later that day,Kuldeep had to retrieve something from their camp and went back, only to stumble upon a curious scene. There, in a quiet corner of the practice field, Shubman was hunched over a notebook.Kuldeep approached quietly, and before Shubman could hide what he was doing,he caught a glimpse of the page. What he saw was both surprising and hilarious: the name “Ishan Kishan” was scribbled all over the page, surrounded by doodles of cricket bats and balls. But that wasn’t even the best part. In the bottom corner, as a final touch, were the words “Shubman Kishan” written in elaborate handwriting

Kuldeep had to bite his tongue to keep from bursting into laughter. Instead, he let out a small cough, and Shubman jumped like a startled cat, slamming the notebook shut, his cheeks burning.

“Wait,Kul! It’s not what it looks like…” he stammered, but Kuldeep simply raised the same eyebrow he had lifted earlier.

“Are you sure you can’t stand Kishan? Because I think your notebook says otherwise…” Kuldeep said, her eyes sparkling with amusument.

It hadn't been long since the notebook incident when Kuldeep started noticing more curious details in Shubman's behavior. One morning, as they were getting ready for a practice session, Kuldeep observed Shubman putting more effort than usual into fixing his hair and adjusting his jersy.

“A special occasion today?” Kuldeep asked, trying to sound casual as he tied his shoelaces.

“No, I just want to look good. Is that a crime? Are you going to report me to the coach?” Shubman retorted defensively, avoiding eye contact.

Kuldeep couldn’t help but notice that Shubman seemed overly keen on timing their walk to the practice field to coincide with Ishan Kishan’s arrival. And the look on his face when he saw Ishan? Kuldeep could only describe it as mesmerized.

“Remember, Shubman, you can’t stand Kishan,” Kuldeep whispered with a mischievous smile.

“And I don’t!” Shubman replied, though his eyes tracking Kishan’s every move betrayed his words.

Days passed, and Kuldeep found himself increasingly amused by Shubman’s antics. Whether it was breakfast or dinner, Shubman always found an excuse to glance in Ishan’s direction. One evening during dinner, Shubman was so focused on watching Ishan that he accidentally dropped his fork. Kuldeep stifled a laugh, and Shubman, red as a tomato, tried to play ot off.

Honestly, Shubman, I don’t think people look at someone they hate like that,” Kuldeep commented while helping his friend retrieve the fork.

“I’m only watching him because… he’s a threat. Yes, that’s it. A threat to my concentration and career!” Shubman insisted.

One morning, Kuldeep woke up earlier than usual. As he stretched, he heard a rustling sound coming from the bathroom. Cautiously, he approached and saw Shubman talking to himself in front of the mirror.

“Ishan, would you like to join me for a coffee after net session? No, no, too direct… Ishan, maybe we could discuss strategy over lunch and then… No, no, that’s too obvious…” Shubman murmured, practicing repeatedly.

He stared at his reflection with a mix of desperation and determination. Shubman nervously adjusted his hair, as if perfecting his look would help him deliver the perfect line.

“Hey, Ishan, how about a pizza after practice session together later?” Shubman tried, attempting to sound casual and confident. “No, that sounds too informal… like I don’t care.”

Shubman let out a frustrated sigh, clearly exhausted by the internal battle he was fighting. He leaned against the sink, looking at his reflection with a mix of sadness and determination.

“What if I just say…?” he started, but then shook his head, dismissing the idea before he could fully formulate it. “No, that’s stupid. I can’t just invite him without any excuse…”

Unaware that he had an audience, Shubman straightened up and prepared for another attempt. This time, he tried a more direct approach, lifting his chin with an air of feigned confidence.

“Ishan… would you like to… join me for a dinner this weekend?” Shubman pronounced each word slowly, as if testing them before fully committing. “Just the two of us, you know, to…discuss and work on our game.”

There was a long silence as Shubman evaluated his reflection. Finally, he let out a huff of exasperation.

“No, Shubman. That sounds too much like an invitation. It is an invitation!” he scolded himself, covering his face with his hands.

Kuldeep, still holding back laughter, decided he had seen enough. He slowly retreated from the door, slipping back into bed before Shubman noticed his presence. As he settled under the covers, Kuldeep thought to himself that this was the most entertaining scene he had witnessed so far.

Finally, after two days of amusing observations, Kuldeep witnessed Shubman putting his plan into action. During their cricket training, Shubman seemed unusually interested in the strategy session their coach had assigned. As soon as practice ended, Shubman grabbed his gear and headed straight for Ishan.

“Ishan…” Shubman began, trying to sound casual, “do you think you could help me with the batting drills? It’s just that… I’m struggling with a few techniques.”

Kuldeep, who was keeping a safe distance, nearly choked with laughter. Shubman, usually known for his cricket prowess, asking for help! It was too obvious, and Ishan, ever the accommodating teammate, agreed without hesitation. Shubman let out a sigh of relief. Kuldeep couldn’t help but notice how, for a moment, Shubman seemed to float with happiness as he walked away with Ishan.

Shubman’s plan to get closer to Ishan through batting practice had been a success, at least on the surface. What started as a simple request for help turned into a regular routine. Kuldeep watched with growing amusement as Shubman and Ishan spent more and more time together at the nets, in the gym, and even in the team lounge, where they reviewed game footage together.

One afternoon, as Kuldeep was heading to the gym, he noticed Shubman sitting at a secluded corner, clearly waiting for Ishan. Cricket magazines were scattered across the table, training notes and video recordings at the ready, and Shubman was so focused on adjusting his gear that he almost didn’t notice Kuldeep’s arrival.

“Well, another practice session with Ishan?” Kuldeep asked, planting himself in front of his friend with a sly grin.

Shubman barely looked up, busy reviewing the footage as if preparing for a masterclass.

“Yes, someone has to make sure that Ishan doesn’t slack off,” Shubman said in a tone that attempted to be nonchalant.

“And couldn’t captain,Rohit bhai, do that?” Kuldeep asked, raising an eyebrow as he toyed with the end of his towel.

Shubman huffed, finally lifting his gaze to Kuldeep. “Kuldeep, I know you think this is funny, but this is serious. Ishan needs extra help, and let’s be honest,Rohit bhai already has enough on his plate with all the captaincy duties and managing the team’s dynamics.”

Kuldeep pretended to be deep in thought, looking at Shubman with an expression of mock seriousness. “I see, I see… So, in summary, you, Shubman Gill, the brilliant, the always composed, are sacrificing yourself to ensure that Ishan doesn’t end up out of form. All for the greater good, right?”

Shubman snapped his notebook shut and crossed his arms, his face adopting a look of annoyance. “Exactly. And besides, I don’t want our team to be remembered for producing a star player who can’t execute basic techniques without a struggle. It’s… it’s for the team’s reputation.”

Kuldeep let out a soft laugh, leaning over the table to get a little closer to Shubman. “Of course. It’s for the team’s reputation. It has nothing to do with the fact that you’ve become Ishan’s personal coach and that you apparently enjoy his company quite a bit, right?”

Shubman blushed slightly but maintained his composure, refusing to admit anything Kuldeep could use against him.

“I’m doing it because it’s necessary, Kuldeep. There’s no other reason.”

Kuldeep observed Shubman for a few seconds before nodding with a smile.

“You know, Shubman, sometimes I think you’re fooling yourself more than you’re fooling me.”

Before Shubman could respond, Ishan appeared at the entrance of the gym, greeting both of them with a smile. Kuldeep noticed how Shubman’s posture subtly changed; his eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement as he returned the greeting.

“Ready to hit the nets, Ishan?” Shubman said in a tone that tried to sound casual but, to Kuldeep’s ears, sounded more eager than Shubman likely intended.

“Yeah, thanks for helping me again, Shubman,” Ishan replied, sitting down beside him and pulling out his own equipment and practice notes.

Kuldeep, with an amused smile, waved lightly as he left.

“Have a great session, you two. And Shubman, don’t forget that you’re just helping him with cricket drills, alright?”

Shubman rolled his eyes, and Ishan raised an eyebrow in curiosity as Kuldeep walked away.

Kuldeep knew there was something deeper between the two, even if Shubman wasn’t willing to admit it to himself. But the most entertaining part of all was watching his friend struggle to maintain his façade of indifference while every gesture, every look, betrayed him more and more.

It was a Saturday night and Kuldeep and Rishabh were playing with PS5 in Shubman and Kuldeep's shared hotel room. Kuldeep was settled in one of the armchairs like a hunter waiting for its prey, his expression betraying his amusement as he waited for Shubman to return. It had been an unusually quiet day, and he had heard rumors that only heightened his curiosity.

Finally, the room door opened, and Shubman entered, his cheeks flushed from the  night air… or at least, that’s what he wanted Kuldeep to believe. He was dressed more carefully than usual: a bit of gel in his hair, his cricket gear meticulously arranged, and a look of nonchalance that seemed effortless, though Kuldeep knew otherwise.

Kuldeep watched in silence for a few seconds, savoring the moment before striking.

“Well, Shubman?” he asked, not bothering to hide the smile spreading across his face. “How did your ‘training session’ with Ishan go?”

Shubman, who had been taking off his jacket, froze in the act. His face turned a bright red as he slowly turned his head toward Kuldeep, a mix of surprise and embarrassment in his eyes.

“IT WASN’T A DATE!” protested Shubman, raising an accusatory finger as if that could erase the impression he had made upon entering. “We just… just went out for some extra practice. Nothing more.”

Kuldeep rose from the armchair, walking slowly toward Shubman, his smile now a mischievous smirk.

“Oh, sure, sure,” said Kuldeep, nodding slowly as if considering the excuse. “But I have a question… Was it strictly necessary to grab a coffee after practice? Or was that an ‘accident’?”

Shubman blinked, visibly stunned. How did Kuldeep know? Immediately, he began searching for an excuse, but Kuldeep continued, savoring every second.

“Did you spy on me?” Shubman managed to say, tone defensive but his expression betraying the insecurity he felt.

“Spy? I wouldn’t do something so brazen…” Kuldeep said innocently, stepping a little closer. “Actually, I made it up. But it seems I hit the mark, didn’t I?”

Shubman opened his mouth to retort but quickly closed it again. His mind raced to find a logical and plausible explanation, but the blush on his cheeks only deepened.

“I… I did it to help him improve, Kuldeep. You know, during matches, it’s obvious he needs extra practice. I can’t allow our team to have a star player who can’t perform under pressure; he’s a potential match-winner, not a liability for the team,” said Shubman, crossing his arms, trying to sound convincing.

“So now you’re also Ishan’s personal coach? How considerate of you. I didn’t know you were so… charitable,” Kuldeep said, his tone dripping with irony. “I must say that ‘helping him improve’ sounds quite ambitious, Shubman. But… haven’t you mentioned before that you think he’s overrated?”

Shubman huffed, but the smile he was trying to hide was evident.

“I’m just saying that… he’s not as bad as I thought. In certain circumstances.”

Kuldeep looked at him with an air of satisfaction, as if he had just won a game that only he was playing.

“Not as bad, huh?” Kuldeep said, mocking tone echoing in the room. “Maybe even… enjoyable?”

Shubman shot him a glare but couldn’t stop his lips from curving into a smile that confirmed much more than he was willing to admit.

“Only when he’s not talking about his latest match or making jokes about my technique…” Shubman muttered, but there was a warm tone in his voice that didn’t escape Kuldeep’s notice.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’ then,” Kuldeep said, giving his friend a light shove before turning back to the fireplace, letting the silence of the common room fill the space between them. “But don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me… for now.”

Shubman sank into the armchair next to Kuldeep, with a smile he could no longer suppress. As he watched the flames dance in the fireplace, a part of him knew that Kuldeep wouldn’t leave him alone on the subject, but for some reason, it didn’t bother him as much as it should. Maybe, after all, Ishan Kishan was more than just “tolerable.” But for now, he’d make sure his best friend didn’t have any more ammunition for his constant teasing.

“You’re impossible, Kuldeep,” Shubman murmured, letting out a small laugh.

“And you’re smitten and in love Shubman,” Kuldeep replied with an even louder laugh.

*****

It was a Sunday afternoon, and the sun was at its lowest point, painting the sky a soft orange that contrasted with the lazily drifting clouds over the grounds of the cricket camp. Kuldeep and Yuzi, who had returned to their usual selves after a brief fall-out, were walking together through one of the long corridors, enjoying the fresh air that drifted in through the open windows. They were chatting about recent cricket matches when suddenly, Yuzi stopped dead in her tracks, pointing towards one of the windows with wide eyes.

“Kuldeep, look at that,” Yuzi said, her tone full of surprise and a hint of amusement.

Curious, Kuldeep approached the window and leaned out to see what had caught Yuzi’s attention. There,on net practicing on a single bat were Shubman and Ishan. The detail they couldn’t overlook was how close they were standing to each other; Shubman was practically clinging to Ishan, his hands wrapped around Ishan’s hand, while Ishan controlled the bat and Shubman was whispering technics in his ear. The sight was as unexpected as it was amusing.

The two exchanged glances, sharing a knowing smile.

“But… didn’t he say he couldn’t stand him?” Yuzi asked, raising an eyebrow as her smile widened.

Kuldeep crossed his arms, shaking his head slightly, still smiling.

“Now he finds him ‘tolerable,’” Kuldeep responded, using the exact words Shubman had used the last time they had talked about the subject.

Both laughed softly, enjoying the spectacle unfolding before them. Shubman, usually so composed and distant, seemed to have gotten carried away by his “mission of disdain.” But neither of them said anything more. The fact that Shubman and Ishan were sharing such an intimate scene spoke for itself.

Back in the lounge, Kuldeep was comfortably settled in a chair when Shubman entered, his hair still slightly tousled and his cheeks flushed, though it wasn’t clear whether it was from the sun or something else. Kuldeep, always on the lookout for a good opportunity to poke fun at his friend, wasted no time in starting the conversation.

“Well, well… how was your practice, Shubman?” Kuldeep asked with a playful smile curling his lips. “I seem to recall you don’t like teaching by touching”

Shubman stopped in his tracks, surprised that Kuldeep knew about his recent activity. However, his expression quickly became calculated as he tried to come up with a suitable excuse.

“Well, it’s not that I love teaching hand on hand” Shubman began, crossing his arms, “but I needed to get some information about the opposing team for the upcoming IPL match. Ishan is their WK, so... I thought it would be useful.”

Kuldeep looked at him, clearly amused, but didn’t interrupt. He decided to let Shubman continue weaving his web of excuses.

“Oh, really?” Kuldeep asked with dripping skepticism. “And tell me, Shubman, when is that match?”

Shubman opened his mouth to answer but found his mind completely blank. An awkward silence settled between them, growing longer by the second, and Kuldeep raised an eyebrow, patiently waiting for Shubman to speak.

Finally, Shubman stammered out an improvised response.

“Oh… I just remembered that… I promised to help Virat bhai on something. Yes, that’s it. I should go right now.”

And with that, Shubman turned around hastily, disappearing up the stairs. Kuldeep watched him go, shaking his head with an amused sigh.

“Always with a quick escape,” Kuldeep murmured to himself, unable to suppress a smile.