After Team India came back it was time for Press conference, acknowledging the media and answering every twisted question in a best professional way possible..

" So Shreyas can you tell us about what went wrong? " One reporter asked

" We lacked intent, also I think we should  have choosen the team more wisely, maybe one more spinner in place of a pacer would have changed the game" Shreyas said

" Do you think it happened because of your lack of experience as a captain ? " One asked

" As the captain of last two series .. I do take the responsibility but again, at the end of the day cricket is a team game.. So I would say that we all lacked in something or other, we failed to put our everything as a team " Shreyas said

" There was a speculation about you being the next captain after Virat.. Now after this series.. Do you  think you are contender for that? " Another reporter asked

" That's not in my hand, I lead this series because Virat and Rohit both were absent.. And I don't keep tap of speculation so we will see what happens.. Doesn't matter if I play lead or not.. I am a cricketer and I will continue to do my job. Thank you " Shreyas said and left the room after wards while leaving a breath of relief.

" It's okay.. You handled them well. " Ravi Shastri said as soon they left the room.

Shreyas just nodded.

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" I saw what happened.. India never loses like this " Rayna said while watching the press conference on her laptop.

" It's a game.. It happens " Shristi shrugged without looking at Rayna. She pretended to not listen to the press conference but she was all ears when Rayna played that on her laptop.

Shristi knew that Shreyas would blame himself to no extent.. She hoped that someone will make him understand that it wasn't his fault. They did their best but disaster happens..

" Yeahhh.. But normally, India never plays this bad.. So.. " Rayna shrugged

" It's just a phase, they will get over it... I know them.. They will come back stronger " Shristi said being unmindful of her surrounding

" Know them ?? Like personally? " Rayna asked

" Wh.. What.. No.. I mean as a supporter.. I know they bounce back " Shristi chuckled nervously

" Aah... I wish you knew them personally.. I would have asked you to get me Virat Kohli's autograph " Rayna chuckled..

" As if I know him ! " Shristi chuckled which was long tired sigh.

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Nothing was helping Shreyas . He tried working out, reading self help books, listen to good music but all of it went in vain.

He wish he had the ability to let go off failures easily and move on but he didn't. He can't brush off his thoughts easily. The fact that no one from the team blamed him for the loss wasn't enough for him. Since he belived that he was solely responsible for this disaster.

He slumped down on his couch while letting out sigh.. He knew that he will to find a way to get out this slump, they have tours ahead...

" You can't let one match define you Shreyas, you're better than that. You know that. "

He remembered her words.

Words that once felt like encouragement were nothing more that a mere sentence now .

Her words
Her promises
Nothing held any importance.

Now , mere thought of her face fills Shreyas's mind with hatred and hatred only.

_________________

I will just pretend that I didn't go MIA.

THANKS FOR READING.

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