It was the night before the second match of the tournament. AND a certain new captain was extremely restless. Excitement, fear, responsibilities of a full blown IPL team which has done exceptionally well in the previous season, all of it was towering on him. And of course, he couldn't wait to meet his Mahi Bhai.

His first match as a skipper at a big stage as the IPL, and it's against his mentor, his guide, his idol, but most importantly, his elder brother, his Mahi Bhai.

To be honest, everything he knows, he has learnt from his elder brothers and now he would be playing against each one of them a rival skipper. Yes, he has Jinks Bhaiya, Ash Bhaiya and Shikhi Bhaiya with him, but still.

He has learnt something much from Mahi bhai. Being a keeper batsman, he has always stanned Mahi Bhai. How effortlessly he did the stumpings, how beautifully he took the catches, how amazingly he guided the bowlers.

And now, he will put to use every single thing that his Mahi Bhai has taught him. Gosh! Mahi bhai would be so proud!, thought Rishu all excitedly.

Suddenly, Rishu's phone rang, breaking his trance.

"Virat Bhaiya?", he said, himself and accepted the call immediately.

"Hello Virat Bhaiya", he said.

"Hey Rishu", said Virat cheerfully.

"Aren't you resting Vi Bhaiya? Your match got over right now, right? Then why are you not resting?" asked Rishu, all disappointed that his bhaiya is not resting after a match.

"Arey Rishu, thamba thamba. I am resting. I'm lying on my bed and talking to you baccha", said Virat smilingly.

"Oh then okay", said Rishu. Virat laughed at Rishu's childish innocence.

"So all set for your first match captain?", asked Virat, cheerfully.

"Well yeah, I guess", said Rishu.

"What happened kiddo?" asked Virat lovingly.

"I'm kind of nervous, Bhaiya", blurted out Rishu.

"Oh Rishu. No need to be nervous, okay? You will do great. And you have Jinks, Ash, Shikhar and Kaif bhai to assist you. You don't have to do things alone baccha", explained Virat.

"Are you sure, Bhaiya?", asked Rishu for confirmation.

"Hundred percent", said Virat, "And moreover it's Mahi bhai, you will be playing against. Handful of people get such an opportunity to play against their idol in their first game as a skipper like you are getting, Rishu. Go grab it", encouraged Virat.

"Okay bhai", said Rishu, convinced.

"Now go to sleep, tension free. And when you go into the ground tomorrow, be confident", said Virat.

"Aye aye captain", said Rishu, slightly laughing.

"Good night", said Virat, laughing and they disconnected the call.

The next day, Rishabh Pant walked in as a skipper for the first time, along side MS Dhoni. The whole country could see two generations of Indian cricket walking into the middle for the toss.

As they both shared a moment with each other, Rishu could see the pride in Math bhai's eyes.

All the best Rishu!
Thank you Mahi Bhai! Same to you!

Mahi smiled.

Rishabh won the toss and elected to bowl first.

CSK went off with a poor start having lost both their openers with only 7 runs on the board. Then Moeen Ali and Sonu anchored the innings.

Avesh Khan was exceptionally good for the Delhi side. The way he controlled runs and took two important wickets was amazing. And one of those wickets was of Mahi bhai. Mahi bhai was bowled out by Avesh on his second ball. Though Rishabh was happy as it was a huge wicket, he couldn't help but feel a bit sad on Mahi Bhai's behalf. He had secretly wished that he would get to seea Mahi Bhai special today.

Mahi knew what exactly was going on in his mind, and he blinked at him to assure him.

Nevertheless, with the help of Sonu's excellent knock, combined with the cameos of Rayudu and Jaddu, and Sam Curran's blitz in the end, CSK posted a very good score of 188.

In the chase, Shikhi and Prithvi started off in a fine fashion. They were going all guns blazing in the powerplay. They built on that, hitting the ball everywhere, stitching up a 100+ runs partnership. Their 85 and 72 respectively did most of the job for Delhi.

Though their wickets fell in the later half, the work was done. In the end Rishabh, in his true fashion, finished the innings with a fine four towards the long on region.

Delhi capitals won the contest. Rishabh was ecstatic. His first game as a skipper resulted in a comprehensive win. How good is that!!

After the post match formalities, Rishu made a beeline for his Mahi bhai. He had been dying to go to his bhai and rant to him about what all he did.

But the he realized, he had beaten Bhai's team. He would be sad, right? Would he be unhappy seeing him? How would he face him? Rishu didn't know.

He reached the dressing room. Standing outside, he did a little peptalk to himself and went inside.

He strode towards Mahi, who was drinking water, asked without a preamble, "Are you angry with me?"

Mahi almost spilled out the water out of his mouth. Okay... What's wrong with him now?!, thought Mahi.

He had no idea what got Rishu to think he is angry. And according to his memory, he hadn't said anything to him.

"Why did you think that? Why would I be angry on you Rish?", said Mahi, with a confused face.

"Because I made your team lose", Rishu, meekly but innocently.

Lord! How do you make these idiots?! And why do you send all of them to me only?!, thought Mahi, sighing internally.

"Rishu, come here", Mahi beckoned Rishabh to sit beside. Rishabh didn't take a even a nanosecond to do that.

Mahi hugged him close and said, "You know who was the most proud when you hit that fantastic four and took your team over the line?"

Rishu nodded in a no. Mahi smiled and said, "Me!! It was me kiddo! I had the best seat in the house to watch you! You did so well, kiddo"

Rishu's face lit up like Christmas has come early. "Really?!", he asked for reconfirmation.

"Yes really. You were so good Rishu! And never think that I, or rather we will be upset of our loss to you. You can ask Virat, Rohit, Bhuvi, anyone of your elder brothers, kiddo. None of us will be upset. In fact, it will make us the happiest and the proudest to see you succeed baccha!"

Rishu seemed a little bit convinced so Mahi continued, "This is game Rishu. There are only two possibilities in this -- either we win or we lose. At the end of the day, one team is always emerges as the better one. Today, it was your team. Some day, it would be us, some day it would be someone else. That's how it works!"

"Pakka, you are not sad?", Rishu asked in reconfirmation.

"No baba, I am so happy for your first win kid. Congratulations, captain!", said Mahi, thumping Rishu on his back.

Rishabh looked at Mahi bhai for second, and without any warning he tackled him into a huge hug. Mahi, who was experienced in these avalanche like hugs, held him close.

"I love you so much Bhai", Rishu mumbled from where his face was, buried in Mahi bhai's shoulder.

"I love you too kiddo", said Mahi bhai, indulgently. 

"Thank you for everything", said Rishu innocently as he broke the hug and looked at Mahi earnestly.

"It's my duty Rishu. You all are my little brothers, and as your elder brother it's my duty to guide you all. Now cheer up and go celebrate with your team", said Mahi Bhai.

Rishu was about to protest when he heard a frantic call of Prithvi. He came inside the room, looking for Rishabh. 

"Where have you been? Everyone is looking for you like crazy!!", burst out Prithvi, "Oh Hi Mahi bhai", he said in a normal voice noticing Mahi Bhai. Mahi smiled at him.

"I'm sorry Prithvi. Woh batana bhul gya ki main yaha aa rha hu", said Rishu.

"Ab jaldi aa jaa. Sab nikalne vaale hai. Yahi rhene ka iraada hai kyaa?", said Prithvi.

"Arey tu jaa, mera kitbag pack krde, main aa rha hu", said Rishu, ushering him outside.

"Jaldiiii", screamed Prithvi.

When Prithvi was gone, Rishu rushed into Mahi bhai for another quick hug, before he left.

"You will always be my idol, bhai", said Rishu, while walking out with Mahi Bhai.

"And you will always be my superstar!", said Mahi bhai, flicking Rishu's nose.

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Hope you enjoyed this!!

Which all moments or matches of the IPL do you want me to write guys?! Comment down!!

Love

Jiya❣