Beginning of The End

XVII

The second match had ended in a draw, a score of 186 runs from the Indian side that South Africa managed to level right at the last ball of the twentieth over.

During the last match, India had won the toss and decided to bowl first. Although they were chasing a score of 183 runs, they didn't seem to have any difficulties this time around. With a half-century from Rahul and an excellent partnership between him and Jinks, they managed to win the match with just one wicket gone.

There were no hard feelings between the two sides, especially since most of them were to play the IPL soon after. Instead of distressful mourning, there was a celebration held at the hotel they were staying in.

None of the boys seemed like they had been playing all day. They were having the time of their lives with their friends and families celebrating around them.

Virat, who wasn't fond of crowded gatherings anymore, had been trying to sneak out stealthily under the pretense of a phone call. But Faf managed to see him just in time and motioned him over.

He could see him sitting near the bar with a few younger players of the team and AB. He was about to use his readymade excuse of the phone call when AB waved him over, and he had to give in.

"This is Jackson. Made his debut just today." Faf clapped the nervous-looking boy on his back and grinned at Virat cheekily. "You're the one who took Rahul's wicket in the second match, aren't you?" Jackson nodded his head, seeming almost scared at the question.

But all his fear turned into embarrassment when Virat patted him on the shoulder, "That was a good ball boy. I was lucky you didn't get me." Virat grinned at him, and Jackson's face adopted a deep red color at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. I wanted to ask for an autograph." He said in a meek voice.

"As if these grey hairs aren't enough to remind me I'm getting old, just call me Virat." AB laughed from behind, and Virat rolled his eyes as he signed Jackson's jersey, wishing him the best for his future. The boy excitedly jumped along to his friends, clutching the jersey to his chest.

"You have quite the fan following amongst our young boys, you know?" Faf teased him as he took a sip of his drink, and Virat snorted in disbelief, sliding into the booth next to him.

"Really? They have you guys in their team, and they're after me?" He asked rhetorically, and AB shook his head at the oblivious nature of the man. "Well, probably not more than me," Faf said in a mocking tone, and they burst out laughing.

"Well, you should wait for the IPL to start, and you'll see how many are dying to meet you." Virat nodded his head towards Faf, who shrugged nonchalantly.

"You've missed out on one season mate, IPL's missed you more than they missed us this time." Faf had a teasing tone to his voice as he mockingly raised his glass. But his eyes weren't joking, and Virat felt his heartwarming at the gesture.

Through all these years of captaining their sides and losing tosses together, they had managed to build quite a strong bond. But they had never been the ones to meddle in each other's personal affairs. Still, they knew they would always have each other's back, and at that moment, Virat felt he didn't know how to express his gratitude at the gesture.

But the grin on Faf's face told him he didn't need to say it out loud- he knew.

"I'll have to take this. Excuse me." Faf's quick apology followed the loud ring of his phone, and he walked out of the crowded room with his eyes stuck on the screen.