When they reached the dressing room, Rohit was sitting more dejectedly than ever.

Determined not to be deterred this time, Virat strode right in and sat down beside Rohit.

Rohit looked up. "You here again?"

"I'll only go when you stop sulking," said Virat with dignity.

Rohit clenched his jaw and resumed staring at the ground. He didn't see Jinks entering the room.

Suddenly Rohit felt Virat's arm around his shoulder and heard his warm voice saying, "Everyone makes mistakes, Rohit. You just need to learn from them."

Virat's (unusual) kindness made Rohit forget everything he had decided.

"I can't imagine why you're here, supporting me!" cried Rohit. "You and Jinks fought to get me here--and I--"

Virat and Jinks froze.

"I let you both down like this," mumbled Rohit.

"You didn't," said Jinks and Virat vehemently at the same time.

"You know I did. They wanted my spot to go to Karun Nair or Hanuma Vihari or someone, who wouldn't have played such a shot in their dreams!"

"Maybe they wouldn't have," admitted Virat. "But--"

"Do you know why we 'fought' for your inclusion in the team?" asked Rahane.

Rohit looked surprised. "Well, why?"

"Because we think you deserve it," said Jinks.

"Yes, absolutely. One inning can't change that--when you did play so well too," said Virat.

"Even that shot wasn't enough to break our trust in you, Ro," said Jinks.

"Why, I didn't even consider the idea of you letting us down!" said Virat.

Rohit stared at both his friends in silence.

"You'll never let us down, Rohit," assured Rahane. "Seeing you upset like this is worse than seeing that horrible shot."

Rohit and Virat both started laughing, and soon Jinks joined them.

"But, seriously," said Rohit, after they had stopped laughing. "I'm really gra--"

"If you dare to thank us--" began Virat.

"Or apologize to us," added Jinks.

"We'll stop considering you as our best friend altogether!" said Virat darkly.

For once, Jinks didn't protest at anyone teasing Rohit.

"And Jinks and me will be sole best friends to each other," declared Virat, slinging his arm around Jinks' shoulder and squeezing him hard.

Jinks groaned, but before he could free himself, Rohit rushed over and hugged them together as hard as he could.

"Don't do that-- ever," warned Rohit.

"I'm making no promises!" Virat winked.

"Really? Well, if you do that, I'll tell everyone what really happened in the gym in 2016," said Rohit.

Virat went red at the memory of himself crying on Rohit's shoulder. The memory never ceased to make him mortified.

"You wouldn't do that," he muttered.

"I'm making no promises!" said Rohit with a wink of his own.

"Otherwise I'll have to send you to the Virtual Reality world to make you realise your mistake," said Virat sorrowfully.

Virat had the satisfaction of seeing both Rohit and Jinks blush, as they always did at any mention of that terrible fight, and as Virat smirked triumphantly, Rohit and Jinks grinned at each other too, in an embarrassed sort of way.

And all of a sudden, Rohit realised how much he actually valued both his individual friendship with Virat and Jinks as well as their trio.

"We'd better go outside," said Virat reluctantly. "I'd quite forgotten about the match," he sighed.

"So had I," said Rohit, but his heart did not sink at the very thought of cricket anymore.

Both Virat and Jinks sensed that.

So we succeeded, Jinks. Virat looked at Jinks triumphantly.

Yes. Jinks smiled. I didn't know you had this much tact.

Do you good to be wrong once in a while, grinned Virat.

Rohit walked between them, oblivious to their eye exchanges.

I don't mind being wrong so long as-- began Jinks.

Rohit's happy, finished Virat. I know.