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On the next day when Jassi woke up, he was shocked to see Harry and Rahul sleeping while cuddling to each other. He rubbed his eyes a lot and still found the same scene in front of his eyes. He smiled widely. He got up and got ready first. Harry woke up after that and found Rahul was still sleeping clutching his T-shirt. He gently released his T-shirt and sat on the bed. He looked at Rahul who was still sleeping and he sighed in relief as his sleep didn't get broken. But then he again made a stern face reminding himself that he is just a teammate.

Jassi: Thoda sudhar ja Harry. Jab isko accept kar liya hai to kyu muh bana raha hai

Harry: Maine kisi ko accept nahi kiya samje tum. He is just a team mate bas

Harry got up stomping his foot and he took out his clothes from cupboard closing it with a thud to which Rahul flinched in sleep.

Rahul (in sleep): Nahi.. nahi.. chhodo.. nahi...

Harry and Jassi both were shocked seeing him like that. Jassi quickly sat beside him and started rubbing his palms.

Jassi: Rahul.. it's me Jassi.. kisi ne nahi pakda tumhe. Calm down.

Rahul (in sleep almost shouting): No.. no..

He was thrashing his legs and hands making Jassi freed his hand. Harry ran to Rohit and Virat's room and was banging the door while shouting.

Harry (shouting): Vi Bhai.. Vi Bhai.. Ro bhaiya..

Virat opened the door with a frown

Virat: Kya hua Harry?

Harry: Vi Bhai.. jaldi chalo. Woh Rahul.. Jaldi chalo..

Virat without thinking anything ran to the trio's room and found him struggling with nightmare and Jassi was trying hard to calm him.

Virat took Rahul in a tight hug saying sweet nothings into his ears. Rahul sensing Virat's familiar touch started calming down

Rahul (in sleep): Bhaiya.. bhaiya..

Virat: Haan bachcha.. bhaiya yahi hai

Jassi ran to Rohit and hugged him.

Jassi: Isko nightmares kyu aate hai B-Ro?

Rohit: Woh to pata nahi. Shayad kisi baat ka bahut gahara dar baitha hua hai iske man me

Virat was able to make Rahul again slipped into his deep slumber and he sighed in relief.

Virat: Thank God aaj practice afternoon me hai

Rohit: Yeh to hai

Virat: But we have a match in two days Ro. I am afraid whether Rah will be able to play it or not

Rohit: Of course he will be Vi. You only told me na he was trying to share things with you lekin nahi kar paya shayad ussi wajah se nightmare aa gaya honga

Harry: He was having nightmare in night also

Virat: What??

Harry: Haan..

Jassi: Oh to iss liye woh tumhe pakad ke so Raha tha jab main utha tab

RohiRat instantly smiled but quickly hid it too as they knew Harry will take time to get along with Rahul.

Harry went to get freshen up. Virat stayed with Rahul and kept an eye on him.

Rahul woke up after an hour and was surprised to see Virat there

Rahul: Bhaiya aap yaha..

Virat: Haan.. Kyu nahi aa sakta kya?

Rahul: Nahi.. good morning

Virat kissed on his forehead.

Virat: Good morning bachcha. Go get freshen up then we will have breakfast together okay

Rahul nodded in yes and got ready and they had breakfast after that. They all practiced hard in the afternoon while Bhuvi was bowling and Rahul was batting but he kept getting out on knuckle ball even though his technique was proper. Rahul ultimately had to stop practicing it as Bhuvi was now tired and they need to save energy for the match which was after a day.

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It was the night time and Rahul was again in the middle .. between Jassi and Harry. But Harry was observing him . Rahul was visibly ready to sleep in the whole bright room with lights. He understood that he is getting scared of darkness.

Harry: Itna bada muh hai. Bol nahi sakta kya yeh. B-Ro to fat se nikal gaya tha muh se. Yaha pe apne liye bolna hai ki andhere me dar lagta hai yeh nahi bola jata huh.

Rahul (softly): I didn't want to bother you two.

Harry was surprised as he didn't realise he said it out loud. He was thinking that he was saying all this in his mind. Jassi was happy that Harry was taking steps towards Rahul.

Jassi: Rahul.. you should have told us yesterday na. Hum lights rakhte

Rahul: Tum dono ko andhera chahiye hota hai na

Jassi: Are to dim lights rakhenge

Harry: Problem batao to solution milega na.

Saying so he dimmed the lights and lye down on the bed.

Rahul: Thank you Hardik and Jassi

Harry: Hmm

Jassi: You're welcome Rah.. Waise main Rah bol sakta hoon na?

Rahul: Haan kyu nahi

Jassi smiled at him and they both too lye down on the bed and finally the trio slept. But Jassi and Harry both secretly from each other have kept an eye on Rahul to check whether he was getting the nightmare or not.

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It was the day of the match. The series was long with 5 ODIs. Rahul was making his debut today as Mahi was having some back issue and would only be able to field and not keep. Rahul will be keeping the wickets.

Mahi Bhai presented Rahul his ODI debut cap and all clapped for him. Generally the player show the cap to his or her family but here in Rahul's case he show the cap to Virushka.

Rahul: Bhaiya.. Bhabhi.. dekho.. Meri cap

Virat: We are so proud of you Rah

Anu: And we know you will make us all more proud and happy. All the best Kiddo

Rahul: Thank you Bhabhi

Virat: All the best

Rahul: Thank you Bhaiya

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It was time of national anthem and Rahul was all happy and smiling. There was no nervousness on his face and all were happy seeing that but their happiness was short lived.

The series was against England. As the National Anthem was over, the English players were all set to take their positions on the ground. Rohit and Rahul were going to open for India and here Rahul now started getting nervous. Rohit was in the dug out and was looking here and there and was searching for Rahul now.

Virat: Ro.. kya dekh raha hai?

Rohit: Where is Rahul?

Anu came there running

Anu: Vi jaldi chalo.. Woh Rah.. chalo jaldi please

Anu and Virat ran from there whereas Rohit stood there with his poker face on as they cannot show the audience that there is some issue in the Indian team. It can give an edge to the other team. Jaddu joined him there understanding the presence of players is needed there too. Some English players even asked whether things are fine or not but Rohit and Jaddu handled.

Virat and Anu reached inside the dressing room and found Rahul was sitting in the corner hugging his knees and sweat all over his face. Virat ran to him and took him in a tight hug rubbing his back.

Virat: Kya hua bachcha? Yaha kyu aa gaye?

Rahul: Bhaiya... Bhaiya I.. I can't. Main.. main.. I.. I.. I can't

Rahul's eyes teared up

Virat: Kya hua bachcha? Abhi to sab theek tha na. Kisi ne kuchh bola apko Haan?

Rahul shook his head in no.

Virat: To? Kya hua achanak se?

Rahul: Bha.. bhaiya.. I.. I.. I am scared

Virat: Kyu bachcha? Scared kyu? Hum sab hai na apke sath hmm. Aur bhaiya ko na uske Rah pe pura bharosa hai. Puri team ko bharosa hai aap pe bachcha.

Rahul: Le.. lekin ag.. Agar main.. main ru.. runs nahi kar paya to?

Virat: To bhi yeh bharosa nahi hilega bachcha. Hume pata hai apke talent ke bare me.

Rahul snuggled more

Virat: Meds li hai na Rah?

Rahul nodded in yes

Virat: You know jab bhi khelne jao na tab sirf ball ko dekhna and instinctively react karna okay. One ball at a time.

Rahul nodded in yes. Virat broke the hug and caressed his hair setting them properly. He kissed on his forehead.

Virat: Sab theek hoga bachcha. Aap na apne jo preparation ki hai na uspe faith rakho. Khud ke bharosa rakho okay kiddo..

Rahul nodded in yes.

Virat: Your bhaiya is always with you. Sab sahi hi hoga. Now chalo get up. Match shuru ho raha hai na

Rahul nodded in yes but this time it was a determined nod. He was motivated again.

Virat: Zyada se zyada runs nahi banenge na. It's ok. You have my lisence. (In low voice) Rah.. remember why you play cricket and why you want to continue playing it. You won't disappoint yourself and not us.

Rahul took a deep breath and with motivation and determination to do well for his team, he came out of the dressing room at last moment when Umpire was asking them to go on the ground.

Rahul went to Rohit and fist bumped with him. Rahul seeked the blessings of the ground and then he and Rohit went to the pitch.

The match started and Rohit was at the strike. Rahul and Rohit both stitched a very composed and important partnership of 75 runs but then Rohit got out and it was Virat who joined Rahul. Virat was playing aggressive because he didn't want Rahul to feel any pressure. Rahul on the other hand was playing cautiously yet with positive intent. His strike rate was also very good.

Rahul was on 48 when he played a beautiful cover drive and completed his maiden ODI half century. He ran to Virat and hugged him tightly.

Rahul: I did it bhaiya

Virat: Abhi bahut kam baki hai Rah. Now convert this 50 into 100

Rahul nodded in yes. Virat too reached his 50 but soon enough he got out. Harry came after that. Harry and Rahul were carefully stitching their partnership. They were cautious enough for calling for the runs.

Jassi: Yeh dono akkal se kam le bas

Rohit: Don't worry. Sab sahi..

He said this much when they heard loud gasps from the crowd. They looked at the ground and found Rahul got run out. It was Harry's call and it was a misjudgment by him. Harry too was shaking his head. But everyone applaud Rahul as he scored 75 on his debut.

At the end of first innings, India were 289-4 with Harry scoring unbeaten 85. And now it was England's batting. Bhuvi was bowling very well and they were able to get quick early wickets during the powerplay and England was 45-2. But then Liam Livingstone and Jos Buttler were playing really well. Their partnership was getting England back in the game.

Virat gave bowling to Harry. Harry bowled a considerable over giving only 4 runs in it. But when he again came to bowl, the English batsman were hitting the ball hard and it was going for either 4 or 6.

Rahul: Sahi hai sahi hai ball.

Harry: Abe kya sahi hai. Mar raha hai yeh mere ball ko

Rahul: Tum sahi bowling kar rahe ho

He said and stood slightly outside off stump. Harry glared at him

Rahul started jumping at his place.

Rahul: Yahi bowling karna

Harry didn't take a second in realising what was being said and he gave a slight nod. Harry then bowled an outside off stump delivery which was edged by Buttler and Rahul took the catch. Harry and Rahul ran towards each other and hugged while shouting and then giving hi-fives to each other.

Jassi: Abe saalo.. aisa lag raha tha abhi lad padoge dono

Virat: Aur nahi to kya

Mahi chuckled.

Harry: Btw thanks

Rahul: You're always welcome Hardik

Rahul started leaving. Harry jogged towards him.

Harry: My teammates call me Harry

Saying so he jog passed Rahul and went to boundary line to field while Rahul was smiling like a fool in the entire next over.

Rohit and Virat were smiling like fools seeing their kiddos coming closer to each other. And why not they both knew that it has time that they start preparing the next generation alongwith handling the burden of the responsibility. Mahi Bhai will retire soon and they both too but till that time, they have to form the brotherhood so strong amongst the youngsters that they behave like a family in the same way they were trained under their Mahi Bhai and were made part of star studded Indian team.

It was the last over and Jassi was bowling it. England need 16 runs from 6 overs. The dew was playing part and England was getting edge as they were able to score 12 runs from first 4 balls. Now they need 4 runs in two balls.

Jassi bowled the 5th ball and it was a Yorker and batsman defended it. Now it was all dependent on the last ball. Jassi was about to ball but Rahul signed Harry to come slightly inside and he did. He then signed Jassi to ball. Jassi bowled another Yorker but the batsman was ready and he made a room and hit the ball well enough though it was not having much power. Harry ran towards the ball and took a very good catch. And with that India won the match.

The entire team was really happy and shouting like a maniac but the trio of Jassi, Harry and Rahul were jumping as their teenager genes were highly active.

Rohit: Great catch Harry

Harry: No B-Ro. All credit goes to Rah. Usne mujhe diagnoly aage nahi bulaya hota to ball gaya hota boundary ke bahar meri side mese.

Rohit (with raised eyebrows): B-Ro and Rah..

Harry smiled sheepishly

Harry: B-Ro sounds cool.. just like me and Rah too

Rohit whacked him lightly

Rohit: Cool ke bachche.. ab kaha gayi jealousy?

Harry: He is not bad B-Ro. He has put enough efforts from his side which I ignored and avoided. He is a nice guy and I should not hurt him na.

Rohit: Good boy

Harry dramatically facepalmed himself.

Harry: Hey Rah.. yeh mat samajna ki maine tumhe Rah iss liye bola kyuki tumne mujhe wicket lene me help ki

Rahul: Iss liye bola na ki tumne mujhe run out karwaya. As compensation and as your team mate. I know baba. You don't need to explain

Harry (almost shouting): No.. maine iss liye bola because you are my friend.

Rahul: Harry.. I guess you are tired.

Harry: And I guess you are mad. Are main jab gala fad ke bol raha hoon ki friend ho phir bhi yakin nahi kar rahe

Rahul: You are seriously calling me as your friend??

Harry came to him and stood in front of him with crossed arms

Harry: You know main Daya bhikhari pe bhi nahi khata and guilty feel karna mujhe nahi aata. So compensation bhul jao which leaves you with only one thing run out which happens in cricket which is okay and now literally you just have to accept the option which I said. And that is you are my friend

It took Rahul few seconds to realise that Harry was literally and seriously calling him as his friend.

Rahul jumped on Harry and hugged him tightly. Jassi too joined them both and the trio were jumping and laughing together on something weird which Harry was saying.

Mahi was looking at the trio with his two kiddos hugging him from each side.

Virat: Their friendship era has begun bhai

Rohit: Ab sab inki friendship ki bhi baatein karenge

Mahi: That's true. But it's not just the trio or friends Cheeku.. Ro..

RohiRat looked at him confusingly.

RohiRat: Matlab??

Mahi: Our next leadership group is right here in front of our eyes kiddos.

RohiRat looked at their kids and then at their Mahi Bhai and nodded in yes

RohiRat: Our kiddos.. Next generation of Leaders

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So.. that's it for this chapter. Hope you guys like it

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