Chapter 30: THE LAST MATCH

                                    

                                          
4 days later
                          
Third person POV:
Virat was slowly healing from injury. The team left no stone unturned to punish Cummins. After their complaint, ICC banned Cummins for just 3 matches but the team was quite unhappy. Not just the team but all the Cricket fans and Virat fans were also not pleased with the decision. They wanted him to learn a lesson, Cricket is a gentleman's game and you are not supposed to injure the opponent to win. Virat was alien to all these complaints and plannings. The team requested BCCI to ban Pat Cummins from the upcoming IPL season because it would be a big loss for him as he was the most expensive player in the auction this time. They also filed another complaint against Australian team to ICC asking for 2 points deduction from their world cup qualification points. Both of their requests got accepted. Now, Pat was no longer a part of that IPL season and Australia who already got qualified for World cup had to win the next series against Eng to qualify bcoz of the two points deduction. Even after 5 days of that incident, all the fans were still bashing Cummins. When Virat came to know about all this, he felt a lots of emotions. He was overwhelmed by the support but he was not happy with the decisions.
“Mahi bhai, let's take the complaint back because of which Australia will have to play a must win series.” he requested.
“No way, Vee. They deserve this. And we didn't oust them from the tournament, they still have chance to qualify.” Ro replied.
“But it was Cummins mistake only. I won't ask you to take back the IPL complaint but we can't make the whole team suffer bcoz of one player. And moreover, Australian team deserves to be in the world cup. Please guys” This way Virat convinced his team to take back one complaint and he even put up a story aon insta asking his fans to stop bashing Cummins. Not like he was being lenient or friendly or he has forgiven Cummins, his last lines of the insta story were ‘Karma will bite back’ but he didn't want unnecessary drama or unnecessary limelight around the issue.
                          
Anushka's POV
The last 4 days went quite usual. Virat slowly got back to cricket and thankfully he will be playing today's match. I talked to him at regular intervals. He is very happy to be fit. Now, the main thing is winning today's match. Everyone in the team is hell nervous and excited as this is a must win match to qualify for world cup. I hope they win it.. We were in the team bus and Ro and Vee were sitting together. We finally reached the ground and after some time, Mahi bhai went for toss. This was the perfect time for me to talk to Vee.
I went and he was sitting quietly in the dressing room while other players were discussing their strategies and game plan. I sat beside him and put my hand on his. He looked at me and I can see the nervousness in his eyes. I decided not to say anything because that won't help. He put his head over my shoulder and I kept rubbing his hands with mine. We were silent but this silence was speaking a lot of things, this silence was comfortable and assuring. He was finally getting relaxed. Just then, Mahi bhai and Ro came to the dressing room and saw us and passed a smile. Mahi bhai then announced that team is bowling first. Virat stood up and was about to leave but I grabbed his wrist and he stopped. I wanted to say a lot of things and wanted to tell him that I trust him, the team trust him but words were not helping me. So, I just stood up and hugged him tightly, he got surprised first but then hugged me back. It felt so homely in his embrace and I think he felt the same.
                          
Virat's POV:
I was nervous. There were lots of questions in my mind, what if I won't be able to pull it off? What if the team lose? What if I won't be able to give my 100%? And that's why I was sitting alone on the bench when Anushka came and she just silently assured me. I felt relaxed with her. Just when I was about to go, she came and hugged me tightly, I was surprised but then I responded and hugged her back. Her warm embrace felt like my comfort place, it felt like she was saying that everything will be okay through her hug. We finally broke the hug and I went for national anthem and then the match finally started.
                          
Third person POV:
The bowlers were doing a good job but Aussies are a good team undoubtedly. After a hell lot of efforts, they still managed to get 330 runs in 50 overs. Now it was over to the batters. The second innings started. Anushka was sitting with Virat and Mahi on either sides and her fingers crossed as usual. Ro and Rah were going good, thus India managed to score 50 runs in 10 overs with no wicket loss but the next ball Rahul got out. Now, it was Virat's turn to go in, he took his bat and before going looked at Anushka who showed a thumbs sign to him and her ever charming smile. Virat batted very carefully in the starting and he was still having some issues hitting the fast balls. In the 16th over Rahul also got out and the team score was still just 80. Rishab came in and the team needed some quick runs and a well built partnership now. But Rishab also got out in the 20th over and India was 100-3.. Aussies were at the frontfoot in the game and they took Mahi's wicket as well in the next over only. It was just Virat who can win the match for India now but he was in so much pain. India was 110-4 in 25 overs..  Everything depended on Virat. Virat looked at the dressing room and saw his team who were looking with hopeful eyes at him. He then looked at the Indian crowd who was sitting with their gloomy faces, the last he saw was his Nushkie who was still sitting with her fingers crossed praying for India to win. Then all he thought was that he can't fail his teammates, his Mahi bhai, his Nushkie, his fans and his country.. He forgot all the pain he was feeling and got into the beast mode. He was hitting every ball, that fire in his eyes was enough to scare the shit out of the bowler. And the players in the team India knew it. Virat hardly gave the strike to Hardik and kept on batting fearlessly. Everyone knew that Virat can snatch this victory from Aussies. In no time he reached his half century but didn't even raised his bat as he knew there is a lot needed to be done. He kept on hitting the ball out of the park and soon reached on 99 runs. The Australians were done with Virat taking away the victory from them every single time. Starc came to bowl and decided to bowl bouncer and he did so, the extra bouncy pitch of Australia made the ball even more dangerous and it hit Virat's shoulder again, however it was unintentional. Virat was yelling in pain, all the fans were at the verge of crying because Virat was the last hope. The physio advised Virat to not continue batting but he couldn't leave the team in trouble. He took an injection and continued batting and hit the very next ball for a six completing his century but again no celebration.. Virat was batting exceptionally well and then comes the last over where 7 runs were needed but unfortunately the strike was on Bhuvi. The Kangaroos strategy was to not let Virat come to the strike and they almost succeeded also as the first four balls went for 0 runs. Virat came to Bhuvi who was under extreme pressure and told him to just hit the ball a little away. Bhuvi obliged his Virat bhai and they took a single. Six runs were needed off the last ball. Virat knew he has to do it. The ball came with the speed of light and Virat hit it for a six. And yet again, Virat took India to a victory, a very special victory. The fans were dancing with happy tears in eyes, all the players were by now in the ground and hugged Virat. Virat finally took a breath of relief, he didn't fail anybody. He was the happiest. Anushka who was still in the dressing room was having teary eyes and her heart was about to burst with happiness. She was happy to see Virat happy and finally getting the result of his hard work. Soon All the teammates along with Virat made their way to the dressing room.
                          
Virat's POV:
We won the match and everyone from the team came to the ground and hugged me. It was a priceless moment. Soon, the opponents and our support staff also congratulated us but still Nushkie wasn't there. I think she must be in the dressing room. I along with the whole team made way to the dressing room. My eyes were searching for Nushkie only afterall she deserves the credit. As I entered the dressing room, there she was standing in the corner having tears in her eyes. She is always the first to support me in the lowest and always the last when it comes to celebration. The boys were still around me but I made my way to her. I knew the whole team was looking at me but now all I want is to thank this amazing human that I am very lucky to have in my life. I went upto her and looked in her eyes, she was beaming with happiness. I can do anything to see these eyes sparking. I wanted to thank her, tell her what she did for me will always stay with me, show her how lucky I am to have her. But as they say, when u experience a lots of emotions, words fail to express. The same happened, I stood in front of her just looking in her eyes for a minute and then cupped her face with my hands. I gently kissed her forehead because that's the only way I can show my gratitude to her. She closed her eyes and a smile formed on her lips and then I hugged her and the whole team shouted in happiness. She was still standing in my arms when Harry started cheering.
“Three cheers for Anushka”
And the whole team cheered...She looked at me and I whispered in her ears
“You deserve it”
I know we are just friends but having her in my arms feels the most perfect moment for me. When I pecked her forehead, it felt like an eternity. I was feeling something different, a different kind of attraction towards her but I guess I am just too much flooded in emotions at the moment so I decided not to think too much.
                          
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Hey people. I'm very sorry for being inactive from the past 1 day without informing😔
It was an emergency. I even planned to update something special for Virushka anniversary but all got messed up😕
I'll be updating two chapters today to compensate 🙃
I hope you love the chapters❤️
Sorry once again 🥺
Keep reading, Stay happy 😁