AUS vs IND 2020

~~**~~

Virat Kohli had laughed when he heard of the uproar about Team India's squad list for the upcoming Australian series. It brought nothing but a deep chuckle to Virat when he heard about the gossips regarding Rohit's non-inclusion in the team. To be honest, Virat hadn't been fine with it either. Even a half-fit Rohit was important for Team India and Virat.

But according to BCCI, Rohit shouldn't be rushed into the team post his hamstring tear and would instead have to go through some fitness tests at the NCA. Though he didn't like it, after Rohit's convincing, Virat gave his nod. Little did he know that that very decision would be dividing his team!

~~**~~

Hardik had been on a high post the 2020 IPL in the UAE. Mumbai Indians had claimed the title again, and on a personal front, Hardik had overcome a lot in that year. In that year filled with difficulties, Hardik learned the importance of family, and among the ones that he called family, Rohit had a very big role. So when Hardik jetted to Australia, he had a full-proof plan on how he was going to prank his big brothers in the team. He considered roping in Jassi and Rahul as well. Imagine his surprise when he found out that Rohit wasn't included in the team.

So for the next few days, Hardik was sulking. Listen, Rahul was busy catching up with Mayank, and Jassi was acting suspiciously with how glued he was to his phone, refuting any claims of texting a girl. And Bhuvi, he simply didn't want to entertain the boy.

"Bhuv, pay attention to me," Hardik bugged Bhuvi.

"Behave Hardik," Bhuvi sighed, then feeling bad for scolding the boy, he added, "Why don't you go bug Rahul or Jassi?"

"Rahul and Mayank went out. Jassi's on the phone to a girl, I think," Hardik explained.

The change in tone in Hardik's voice had Bhuvi narrowing his eyes when he spotted Hardik's scheme.

"Leave Jassi alone! Why didn't you go with Rahul and Mayank?" Bhuvi said.

"Didn't want to," Hardik snorted.

"You jealous or what?" It was now Bhuvi's turn to annoy Hardik.

"Don't... I'll tell Ro that you're bugging me," Hardik retorted back to his whining only to forget that Rohit wasn't there.

Bhuvi's face softened at Rohit's mention, so he carefully hinted to Hardik, "Rohit will not believe you. Just call and see."

"He'll believe me, of course," Hardik retorted back, only to realize it a second later, "Yeah, I could call Rohit bhaiyya. Thanks, Bhuvs!"

Bhuvi shook his head fondly as he wiped off the loud kiss that the boy planted on his cheeks, deciding to not call the boy out on calling Rohit 'bhaiyya.'

Call Rohit was exactly what Hardik intended to do except he was whisked away by Virat, who was slightly concerned as to why Hardik hadn't joined Mayank and Rahul.

~~**~~

One of Hardik's biggest personality traits was that he easily trusted people, and that was also his biggest weakness. He had understood that Virat only wanted to make sure that Hardik wasn't feeling too alone, given that Rahul and Jassi were kind of busy and Rohit wasn't there. But somehow, that silly little idiot didn't understand the jealous comments against Virat as he overheard some of the staff members speaking about Rohit and Virat.

"You heard the latest?" came a voice from the play area.

"What? The news about Virat blocking Rohit's selection?" another one said.

Hardik had already turned towards the play area to give the guys a piece of his mind when the next words stalled his feet.

"Yeah! Apparently, Rohit has passed his fitness test, but Virat still didn't agree to let him join on this tour," the guy said.

That couldn't be true, right?

Usually, these rumors wouldn't bother Hardik. He knew that Virat and Rohit had a good bond. He knew that Virat would be fighting to have Rohit by his side but the thoughts that were clouding his mind was exactly what led the boy to defy his captain.

Unfortunately for Virat, he chose the wrong day to play a prank on his younger teammates. Rohit was supposed to join the squad, and Virat thought that it would be funny to tell the boys that Rohit had failed his fitness test and wouldn't be joining them.

Virat had expected some sulking post which he would have laughed at their faces, but he didn't expect an outburst from Hardik.

"Let me guess? He failed the fitness test?" Hardik asked.

Virat was slightly confused but could barely say a thing as suddenly Hardik was walking menacingly towards him.

"I never thought you'd do this, Virat." Hardik shook his head.

"Do what?" Virat asked.

"Block Rohit bhaiyya's selection," Hardik's tone raised.

"Are you out of your mind? Vi would never do that" Rahul was quick to defend Virat.

"Of course, you'd speak in his favor," Hardik retorted back.

"Hardik? Rahul? Calm down boys," Bhuvi tried to push Hardik back slightly.

The boy was fuming.

"Jassi, tell him that he's being crazy" Rahul turned to Jassi only for the boy to hesitate, "Jas?"

"I heard the staff downstairs. Virat blocked Rohit bhaiyya's selection despite him passing his fitness test, Jassi." Hardik said to Jassi, before turning to Virat, taking a step forward menacingly, "How could you, Virat? How could you do this to Rohit bhaiyya? I hate you, Virat bhaiyya," Hardik shouted.

Virat was so taken aback by the pure anger in Hardik's eyes that he completely missed Rohit's entry, but he did feel someone get in the middle of him and Hardik.

"Step back, Hardik. Come on, take a step back," Rohit gently spoke.

"He lost his stupid mind," Rahul spat out.

Rohit let out a sigh before turning to Hardik, "Calm down. Breathe with me, alright? You're too angry, baccha. Breathe in... Hold... And breathe out!"

Hardik let himself be guided by Rohit's voice and felt his clenched fists slowly relaxing in Rohit's hold.

He took a deep breath before opening his eyes as he asked, "Rohit bhaiyya, you're here? But how?"

"Because nobody was blocking my selection kiddo! You remember my hamstring injury, right? They wanted me to pass a fitness test which I did. Virat had nothing to do with it. He was against any kind of test. I was the one who suggested that I entertain their fitness test thing," Rohit explained.

The regret on Hardik's face was instant, but as he looked up, eyes searching for the one to apologize to, Virat was nowhere to be found.

~~**~~

Virat expected Hardik to be knocking at his door to apologize, and he certainly was surprised to see Rohit at the door.

"That kid seriously adores his Rohit bhaiyya, doesn't he?" Virat chuckled.

"He's been through a lot this year. Had to pull him out of the dark, some days" Rohit sighed.

"You never said anything," Virat huffed.

"You were doing the same thing for Rahul," Rohit pointed out, "Speaking of whom, he'd fight anyone for you, wouldn't he? Even one of his best friends."

"Yeah just like Hardik would fight for you," Virat chuckled.

"He'd do the same for you," Rohit said.

"Nah... I'm not his Rohit bhaiyya" Virat smiled.

"Trust me, Vi. Hardik will fight for you. You're as much important to him as I am. It's just that the idiot would believe anything right now. We're working on his trust issues! Come on, he trusted someone on the damn show, that idiot," Rohit said, squeezing Virat's shoulder.

The hesitance in Virat's eyes had Rohit wincing for a moment, but Hardik chose the exact time to make his appearance, launching himself in his captain's arms.

"I'm so sorry, Virat bhaiyya. I didn't mean to say all that. I was just worried for Rohit bhaiyya. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to," Hardik kept repeating, not wanting to let go of Virat.

Virat couldn't help but smile a little as he wrapped his arms around the boy, "It's okay, kiddo. I understand. Trust me though, I wasn't blocking your Rohit bhaiyya's selection. People will speak a lot of nonsense. You can't go around believing everyone."

"I know... I'm sorry," Hardik sniffled, "I'm an idiot. Rahul told me that."

"He's right," Rohit chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Hardik's hair fondly.

Virat laughed as well before clearing his thought as he looked down at the kid in his arms, "So we're 'bhaiyya' when he is emotional or angry. He even said 'I hate you Virat bhaiyya' in anger."

"I don't hate you, Virat bhaiyya. I don't," Hardik chose to say, instead.

"I know kiddo... I don't hate you as well" Virat laughed.

Rohit cracked a smile as well, glad to have reached just in time to defuse the fight.

He didn't dare think of what could have happened if he hadn't reached in time!

~~**~~

Later that evening, Jassi approached Virat with an apology as well. He was sorry that he hadn't intervened between Virat and Hardik. Virat, though, was quick to brush off the apology. Hardik, on the other hand, had apologized to everyone in the team but Rahul, who did forgive the boy but only after Virat nodded at him. That simple action had Virat thinking if his squad was divided into two teams; team Rohit and team Virat respectively. But right as the thoughts entered his mind, he felt Rohit's shoulder brush his, and the captain smiled.

Surely each one of them had their favorites but as long as Virat had Rohit by his side, he was sure that they'd keep the team strongly glued together!

~~**~~

A/N

This one has a bit of Virat-Rohit, Virat-Hardik, Rohit-Hardik, and a bit of Rahul-Virat as well I guess?

Dedicated to  kristikapasi88!

I apologize for the amount of time I took to update this book, but I hope you all will like this chapter.

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