Day 3

Have you ever experienced those moments wherein you know there is something wrong with you? Something is not going right and you can feel it deep in your guts, but can't put a finger on.

Jasprit Bumrah was feeling something similar, as he walked to the pavilion, with his team by his side, at the end of day's play. Though he hasn't bowled many overs, not even five to be precise, but even in those five overs he could feel himself not getting the desired length and line. The one he thought he'll be able to hit.

“Do not think much about it, Jas. You got less overs today. You cannot expect yourself to understand the conditions from ball one”, Rohit's words were indeed encouraging and soothing to an extent, yet he hated to say that there was still something that wasn't right.

“Hey Jas look over there”, Rohit pointed towards the first floor of their hotel, with an unusual teasing smile. And there she was. Jassi's solace, standing there looking beautiful as ever with someone, who he afterwards realised to be Dinesh Karthik, quite busy in herself and the programme.

Even as she stood there doing her job, she had her eyes on her love. She continued to smile on camera as she conducted the post match programme with DK but deep down she knew what she had to deal with once she entered her room.

She saw Jassi interacting with his Ro Bhaiya but something in his composure just didn't feel right, his eyes didn't shine like they did a few days back. As she was about to turn around and face the camera, she noticed her husband looking up at her as Rohit pointed at her.

Jasprit Bumrah did smile, but it didn't reach from ear to ear like it always did, it lacked warmth. She could feel that something was wrong, and was pretty sure it was related to his performance on that particular day. She wanted to end this interview as quickly as possible just so that she could have a good chat with him.

She turned towards the camera, only after giving a beautiful smile to Jassi, who understood the hidden meaning behind it. He looked back at Rohit and continued to walk towards the dressing room where the team would have huddled up.

It was a post match ritual for the team to meet and today was no different. Virat would generally pump up his troop to perform better the next day and would take inputs from the coaches and the senior players, once completed with the meet, he moved towards the room.

The room was empty, without the person he was craving for in sight. It was probably one of those moments where Jasprit hated the fact that his wife was a part of post match programmes. Yet, being the sincere husband he was, he waited patiently for her to arrive.

Sanjana was back on her own time, with some idea about what she was going to encounter. And it was exactly that. Jasprit was sprawled in the balcony of the room, with a cup of coffee for him, another one for her, waiting for her to join in.

Despite the lurking gloom, Sanjana smiled at how considerate her husband is sometimes. Throwing away her overcoat, she silently moved to take a place beside him. “Hey!”, she spoke a little loudly to gain his attention, which apparently was on some other planet and not on Earth.

“You are back so soon?”, he questioned right away. “I am back at my own time. Look”, she shoved the wrist watch in his face, earning a half hearted laugh. “What is going on here?” The filtered laughter had already told her the tale and now she wanted to know the reason behind.

“Didn't you see how I bowled today? I was pathetic”, he can be too critical of himself sometimes. “Come on JB, you bowled just five overs!”, she tried knocking some sense into him. “Yeah but earlier I have been able to adapt within those first three four overs, so why not today?” Sanjana was indeed a little taken aback with the pessimistic approach he had, but she was sure of giving him her side of sunshine.

“JB, just like no finger on our hand is the same, all days aren't alike. Look at the positive side na”, she urged him a little, with her puppy eyes. “Aye Sanju, that's cheating! Not your puppy eyes”, and there, Jasprit Bumrah melted at the cuteness of his wife.

“Give yourself some time. And don't forget, whenever India has won overseas, you have contributed the most”, she stated, bringing herself closer to him for a side hug. “How do you know this?”, he asked, still a little sceptical. “Pros of your wife being a post match show host”, a stupid grin from her and a fledged laughter from him, did give him the much needed hope, that maybe tomorrow will be the day when it all fits like a piece in the puzzle.

Next day came with a new found hope for Jassi. He wanted to bounce back and show it to the world that he is still his captain's go to bowler, he still is a wicket taking bowler. He may not have the number 1 spot in the rankings but he knew how to achieve that crown.

He left his room with a sparkle in his eyes alongside his wife who too was leaving for her work. Excitement was evident from his glowing face that even a person far away could tell how happy he looked but luck was not in his favour. Seemed like the only day rain gods decided to grace the World Test Championship with its presence was when Jasprit Bumrah had buckled up his confidence.

All the team members were sitting in the team room waiting for the game to resume, they could not afford to lose one more day of this ultimate test. The youngsters all sat there gossiping about the new collection of watches or shoes and let's make it clear that Virat too was involved in this younger group due to his obsession with watches.

“Look at the glow on your face Jassi. Aha!” teased Ishant Sharma, seeing the gleam on his face.

“Haina! Yesterday when he went to his room, chehra dekhne jaisa tha.” Ro spilled more beans for the team.

All of them were now looking at the young lad who looked quite uncomfortable with the newfound attention and tried to brush off the topic, “Aisa kuch nahi hai, Ishi bhai and Ro bhaiya aap bhi yeh log ke saath.” he shook his head showing his disappointment. Echoes of laughter were heard from the Indian dressing room seeing the changes in their beloved Jassi since he had gotten married.

“Forget that bhaiya, just see the clouds. They're still pouring down heavily. Why did the ICC have to organise such an important event here in England?”Jasprit's intention was to whine about the conditions and subtly change the topic which were foiled when their Captain chipped in. “Do not try to change the topic Jassi. What happened in the room?”, winked Virat.

The moment he said that, half of the people were on the floor, laughing at Jassi's flustered face while the other half tried hard to be seated. “Ro bhaiya, can you please shut him up?”, he looked towards Rohit with hopes of finding some help, instead he caught him laughing the hardest. “You all have changed!!”, his voice boomed, but with undertones of smiles and good spirits.

“I was waiting to go and bowl today”, with slumped shoulders Jassi responded. The laughing had died down by then, and everyone heard him. “Do not worry Jas. If not today, we'll get to bowl tomorrow. Keep this charm alive”, who said Captain's pat on the back doesn't make things easier. It did for Jasprit at least.

Just like they had thought, a few minutes later Virat was called out by umpires to be informed that another day was now sacrificed to the rain gods and the team can move back to their rooms, again.

Not playing one more day, did nothing but only pushed Jasprit's confidence to the lowest point. He wanted to start today with the same smile and shine but it didn't happen today, he couldn't feel the same enthusiasm as yesterday. He bowled over after over, and each over was a good one, either a maiden or only leaking a couple of runs but the frustration of getting no wickets was still lingering in his mind.

Did the injury affect him so much?

Was he distracted ?

Did he lack skills and potential ?

Did he not deserve a wicket after so much hard work ?

These were the kind of thoughts that were running in his mind as he stood there looking at Shami and Ishant taking wickets. No he wasn't jealous of them, he was disappointed in himself, blaming his lack of practice and skills, which was absolutely wrong on his part! Again the day came to an end, with Bumrah being wicketless and hurt, which was evident in his eyes.

Never before has Jasprit been in such a hurry to leave the dressing room. He was usually the most callous one. Doing everything leisurely, at his own pace. Today however, he was the first one to leave the dressing room, making his Captain stare at him with confusion.

Something was wrong with him, and he did have a faint idea about it.

“Hey Jas wait!!”, Virat caught up with him as they walked up the stairs to their floor. “Haan Virat bhaiya”, however hard Jasprit's tries, it was nearly impossible to fool Virat, especially when he was in his detective mode.

“Where are you running away, ha?” Virat interrogated him, who looked anywhere but at his captain.

“Just going to the room bhaiya. Little tired, you know” he tried to lie but failed miserably in front of Detective Virat Kohli who could see right beneath his lies.

“Ab apne bhaiya se bhi jhoot bolega!” Virat said with a hard tone which softened seeing the guilt, frustration, hurt and many more emotions on Jassi's face.

He needed to act calm right now so he took a couple of breaths and continued, “Bacha everyone has their bad day, not every day would be filled with bright colours right? Somedays would be dark and gloomy but that's our ultimate test right, how we overcome these hurdles is important. Always remember, it's the failure that makes us the best and not success! Now cheer up and come tomorrow with the same glow that we saw yesterday!” Virat ended his mini speech with a small wink, teasing Jas.

These were the moments where Jasprit felt extremely grateful to have a Captain, moreover, an elder brother like Virat. Someone who can teach you the important life lessons, and then tease you in the same sentence.

“I will bhaiya. I won't disappoint you”, some part of that shine was back on his face, and Virat was positive that the other part would be back by tomorrow evening. Afterall, he needed the services of his best bowler for the all important final day.

“Hey! What are you both talking about?”, it was Sanjana who had just returned to his room, a little earlier than usual, given how Jasprit's day in the field had been. She was a little surprised to find Virat with him, which vanished on seeing the smiling Jassi. Very unlike how she saw him last on the field. The captain has managed the situation, she thought.

In the room, Sanjana tried getting out of Jassi the gist of their conversation, but he refused staunchly saying he didn't want to discuss cricket especially not in bed. She had no other option than to let it go and hope that the Jasprit Bumrah she knows, the one who bowls his heart out without doubting himself, will be revived tomorrow on the field itself.

Day 6

Horror. It was absolute horror that went down, in the game, in the final three sessions of the ultimate test. Neither with the bat, nor with the ball, the Indians didn't shine anywhere.

As a result, the worst happened.

Once again, for the eight time since 2013, India lost another ICC event, and third time after getting into the final.

What a nightmare the players were living? A game that looked in their court until the morning session, shifted in the favour of the other within moments. Session after session of intent-less cricket and they were now, looking at Kane Williamson enjoying with his team, the title of being ‘Test Champions’.

All the players were down and out. All of them. But amid them was one person who was blaming him and only him. Blaming himself for not bowling the correct length and line. Blaming himself for dropping the all important catch. Blaming himself for not stepping up, yet again when his team needed him.

Chaos. That's what he felt everywhere, be it around him or within him. He felt as if someone had stabbed him multiple times as she saw Ross Taylor hitting the winning four. Right now the whole team was in the dressing room, where the coaches were giving their feedback but Jassi seemed to be in his own thoughts.

Each and everyone in the room could feel his aloofness but none of them had the guts right now to console him. Everyone sat there in silence processing that they had lost the finals. Each one of them needed their space so all of them moved to their respective rooms after the award ceremony.

Jasprit for the time being was thankful to stay alone, he didn't want anyone to disturb him at this moment, not even his wife. Meanwhile on the other hand, Sanjana had to put on a brave face and complete all the post match presentations with a smiling face but deep inside she was worried. Worried for her JB.

Completing her work, she moved towards her room which was filled with silence as she moved inside. This silence scared her, it felt like that storm was approaching and she was right. The storm was right in front of her, sitting in the balcony with his hands covering his ears as if he could hear people blaming and criticizing him.

She understood the gravity of the situation and decided that it would be best handled by two of the most trustworthy people for now, Mahi Bhai and Harry. She didn't want to disturb the team members right now, who were also not in the right state of mind.

Fishing out her phone from her pocket she video called Harry who picked it up on the third ring itself understanding why Sanjana was calling him. Next she added her Sakshi bhabhi as she knew MSD won't pick up his own or even better, he wouldn't know where his phone was lying.

“Kidhar hai woh” asked Mahi.

Instead of replying she just took the phone to the balcony and handed the phone to Jassi who was startled by her presence and more by the ongoing video call.

“Jassssssiiiiiiiiiii” he heard the loud scream of his best friend, none other than Hardik Pandya.

“Hello Mahi Bhai and Harry, how are you guys?” he asked courteously.

“Humari chhod, tu apni bata, yeh aisi shakal kyun banayi hai jaise koi mar gaya ho?” Harry asked to lighten the mood and that's the only reason Mahi allowed Harry to continue his nonsense.

“Nothing yaar! Just tired.” he replied

“Tired ? Really ? Or did you open social media ?” Mahi finally said something. He knew his kiddos too well.Jassi just bent his head down being caught by his elder brother.

“Kiddo, I have explained this thousand times, don't let the world affect you! You gave your best but the results are not in our hands, right? You can't let those people affect you, and one match doesn't define you kiddo.” Mahi explained with his usual tone.

“ Haana! Those trollers are extremely velle people! They don't have work and also tune toh wicket almost le li thi. Pujji bhai, couldn't catch it properly. It's okay! Ab chal chill maar and ha meri match dekhna bhulna mat.” Harry told him with an absolutely carefree tone. That's Hardik Pandya for you, can lift your mood in any situation.

They talked for sometime before bidding each other goodbye. Jasprit could definitely feel a little better but there was still something that didn't let him smile properly. Maybe guilt of not being handy to his captain when it was needed, however he kept his thoughts aside and went towards Sanjana who was in their room on her phone as she gave him his privacy.

Hugging her from the back, he kept his chin on her shoulder and kissed her cheek softly. “Thank you for always being there, Sanju” he whispered as he turned her around and both of them just stood there gazing into each other's eyes, letting their eyes do the talking.

“Stop doubting yourself JB. You're my hero, and I believe in you”, Sanjana hated seeing her rockstar like that. “And I won't be able to function without this trust of yours”, he yanked Sanjana closer by her waist, letting their forehead rest against one another, with their eyes closed and them being transported to another realm.

“Sanju…”, Jasprit wanted to say something was weighing, if he should say or let it be. “Say naa JB. What is it?”Sanjana once again looked into his eyes which appeared hooded with a kind of uncertainty in them.

“Do you think I am worthy of being in the eleven after this kind of a performance?”Sanjana sighed! She thought that the conversation with Mahi and Harry would have erased idiotic thoughts like these from his mind, but they haven't. They were still reeling in some corners of his mind.

“JB…”, she was interrupted by a knock on their door. It was indeed a little startling for they weren't expecting anyone at that time.

Jasprit went ahead to open the door, only to find his two elder brothers standing at the door with an indecipherable grin on their faces. “Virat bhaiya? Ro bhaiya? What are you two doing here?”, he asked.

“Sanjana, can we borrow your husband for a while?”Rohit asked, not looking at Jasprit but at Sanjana. “Yeah...sure bhai”, though he had no idea what these two were upto, she knew if there was someone who could totally erase those thoughts from Jassi's mind, it were the two idiots standing there.

Once Sanjana gave permission, the duo fled the scene, taking along Jassi with them.

“So?”, Virat looked straight into Jassi's eyes, with his own questioning ones. “So?”, answered Jassi, still clueless regarding this sudden reprimanding. “You think you don't deserve a place in the eleven?”, Rohit asked, his hand folded to his chest.

Jasprit looked down, feeling a little childish after realising what he had said. “I... Bhaiya...vo”, even if he tried he wasn't able to cook up a lie. Jasprit won't lie, but he was a little scared at what these two were going to do next, now that they know what idiocy is going on in his mind.

“You know Jassi, back in 2014, I too had this same thought. The only difference was, you're having it after one bad performance while I had it after three consecutive failures”, Virat had by now taken a seat on his left, while Rohit occupied the one on his right sandwiching him in between.

“I had this thought very recently. Just two years back, before Virat asked me to open”, a slow smile was spreading on Jassi's face after realising what they were doing.

“Look Jassi, for you, this performance and final may matter, but to us, you matter above all things", Virat said earnestly.

“We will have this occasion again. We'll be in the final again, but if you lose your confidence here, we'll not have our champion bowler again”, Rohit completed what Virat had started.

“Failures come Jassi. You're a sportsperson and you'll have these all your life, but if you start doubting yourself after each one of them, you'll not be able to regain it easily”, Virat said from experience. He knew what self doubt could do to a person and seeing his own Kiddo being in that position was something he'll never tolerate.

“India or Overseas. Good performance or Bad performance. One thing that never changes is the fact that you're our Boom Boom, whose ball sends the stumps flying”, Rohit gave him a pat on his back.

“I will still give you the ball when I need wickets. Be it Test, ODI or T20. And if I could, even in the IPL”, finally a genuine smile was taking place on the furrowed face of Jasprit Bumrah.

“Aye Virat, he's my bowler in the IPL. Don't try stealing him”, Rohit glared which Virat convincingly ignored. “So what? I am just...you know trying to bring someone on my side”, he shrugged casually. “Virat don't you…”

“Oh stop you both please!! Kitna ladte ho aap dono? Mujhe samjhane aaye the ya ladne?”Seeing their old Jassi back, the notorious duo hi fied one another, congratulating themselves. Jasprit however took another two minutes to realise how he was outfoxed by his two skippers.

“Aap dono bhi unique piece ho”, what else could he do rather than smiling. And that's what he was doing. Smiling from the bottom of his heart, forgetting the heavy defeat he got today, forgetting the trolls he read today, forgetting the criticisms he got today. When you have brothers like MS, Virat and Rohit, best friends like Harry and wife like Sanjana, you cannot wallow in your sadness for long.

“Chale? Your wife would want you back?”, Virat winked as they started their long walk back to the room.

“Bhaiya, waise how did you guys come to know I was doubting my place?”Jasprit asked, getting sudden enlightenment. “Um…” Virat and Rohit darted their eyes towards each other, prompting the other one to disclose the secret.

“We might have overheard your conversation with Sanjana through the door”, Virat replied cheekily and ran towards his room, along with Rohit before Jasprit could question them.

That's how they were. Seniors when required and mates when required!

A new chapter was to begin when they started their English tour for Jasprit. And he was now more than willing to etch his name in the history books once again, make his team win once again, and make his Captain or better, his elder brothers proud of him once again. 

Fifth test
India Vs England
Day 5, Session 3

India was in dire need of wickets, and that too quickly, one after another. The pitch didn't have much for the bowlers and batting seemed like a menial task on it.

With Ben stokes batting like on a song, England was well in the driving seat with only fifty odd runs remaining and four wickets in hand.

The circumstances were a little similar, just like the one they had in the ill fated final.

And like that final, Jasprit Bumrah was still wicketless and once again not very confident of himself.

“Jassiiii”, Captain called Jassi who was fielding on long on. “Next over you're bowling. Get ready”, Jasprit was flabbergasted.

Has Virat bhaiya lost his mind?

Jasprit felt like that decision was the worst. He wasn't bowling anywhere near to plans and Virat wants him to bowl the next spell which could very well be the one that decides the result. The image of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, hitting him all across the park was still fresh in his memory and he, for the first time in his life, was praying that this over never comes to end.

But how could that have been possible?

That over did come to an end? Virat did give him the ball, showing his trust in him. And that was what troubled him the most. From the slip, Rohit screamed ‘Come on Jassi’. His two Captains were showing faith in him. Did he have it in him to stand up on their marks?

Jassi bowled the first ball to Ben Stokes, who easily steered it for a four.

A strange hammering started in his chest. Was it his heart or was it his doubt? He didn't know.

He bowled again, and Ben once again sent the ball rolling to the boundary. “Bhaiya”, Jassi looked over to the slip cauldron where the two pillars of his strength stood, conveying by their eyes that it's okay.

Maybe it was that confidence that they showed in him that he was somehow able to stop himself from giving any boundary for the rest of the over.

“You will continue from this end”, Virat informed as soon as he was done with his first. Jassi was out of breath and excuse, and replied with a meek nod, dreading to take the ball in his hand again.

Jadeja, who was bowling from the other end, finished his over like lightning and Jassi found himself once again taking the run up.

“Jassi remember you're my champion bowler”

“Jassi only you can bowl him out”

“Jassi we trust you”

“Come on Jass. Come on Jass”

All ten players on the field had come alive for him, cheering for him, rooting for him, telling him how they trusted him.

Bit by bit, Jassi could feel the surge of confidence coming back to him. What did he need to do? Just two good balls in his over and he'll send Ben packing, back to the dressing room.

“I can do it”, Jassi believed.

Taking a quick and brief glance at the side boundary, he found Sanjana sitting with the crew, looking at him with all the love and pride she had in himself. In the little moment they had on the field, Jassi was ready. Ready to do what he has promised he will.

He ran like a Ferrari, putting his everything in it, and the sound of stumps rattling that came immediately afterwards was melodious.

“Come on!!!”Jassi was pumped and so was his Captain who celebrated his wicket, by taking the name of Ben Stokes, more aggressively than he did himself.

With that one wicket, the long lost confidence was back and in that spell, Jassi breathed fire. Taking the remaining four wickets and giving not even ten runs, ensuring a marvellous victory for team India. 

The Star was back. The champion was back. The Jassi they knew was back.

The match ended with team India getting their knight in shining armour back. The Jasprit Bumrah was back and no one could be more proud than his brothers, family and most importantly his wife who was now calling out his name for the man of the match award.

He moved forward for her to ask some questions regarding the match. “First of all congratulations, how do you feel about this victory?” She started off trying to maintain her professionalism.

“You know how I feel, don't you?” replied Jassi with a cheeky smile on his face while Sanjana just laughed and said, “I actually do!” Loud cheering was heard from behind them, as there stood the team cheering or let's say teasing the newly married couple.

“Yeah, it's finally good to be back in form after a tough series, it's always good to win a series. Yeah, looking forward to more such victories.” Jasprit replied quickly as both of them weren't fans of PDA.

“What was running in your mind as you took the wicket of Ben Stokes?” Sanjana again asked.

“I just wanted to prove my two captains right at that point. Nothing more! I wanted to prove them right by being their go to bowler.” he said with a soft smile on his face which also reflected in Virat and Rohit's face.

“It was a pleasure watching you take those four quick wickets, Jasprit. Looking forward to many more wickets and best of luck for upcoming tours.” Sanjana concluded her post match presentation.

“Thank you.” he said as he moved forward but not before whispering in her ears, “ I'll take my best of luck in person. '', and with that not only did Jasprit Bumrah melted his wife, but also regained the lost respect in the eyes of the fans, viewers and critics.

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⫷ 𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣'𝕤 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖 ⫸

My first collab and believe it or not we started yesterday at 12 AM and completed at 5 AM.  What a wonderful experience it was, got to learn abundant things from Iris262702 and was an absolute pleasure to write with one of my favourite writer ❤️ Also thank you very much for letting me post this on my profile! 💖

Here is our insight and future prediction! Do tell us what do you think about the update and post down your ideas for Short Stories and One shots ✨

Stay safe
Love, Iris and Aarohi ✨

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