Sun has risen again, dimwit.

Rohit stared at his phone through narrowed eyes.

What were Jinks and Virat playing at now, he wondered suspiciously, trying to ignore his sinking heart at the thought of Virat and Jinks together without him during the Test series again.

And then he got the notification from BCCI.

The joy of being in the Test team after so long lingered with Rohit all evening, and then MSK Prasad called him.

"Look, Mr. Sharma," he said, wasting no words. "I thought it is my duty to inform you that you were not in our plans for the Border Gavaskar trophy initially."

Rohit listened in silence, wondering what was coming.

"But your captain and vice captain fought tooth and nail for your inclusion..."

Rohit's eyes widened.

"And I hope you will justify their faith."

"Yes, sir," said Rohit meekly, his head in a whirl over the selector's words.

After cutting the call, he rushed to find his wife.

"Ritika! Do you know what Prasad just told me!" And Rohit told Ritika everything.

Ritika only smiled at the story, and it irked Rohit when she didn't say anything.

"Won't you say anything after such a strange thing happened?" he demanded.

"I find it strange that you're making such a big deal out of this," said Ritika.

Rohit stared at her.

"They're your best friends--of course they'll do things like this."

"Should I thank them?" asked Rohit, feeling a little overwhelmed.

"No, Ro," said Ritika patiently. "Don't let them know that you know this at all. But make sure you don't let them down."

"I won't," said Rohit fervently.

__________

India vs Australia, 1st Test, 2018, 1st inning

He stared at his bat in disbelief.

He couldn't have played this shot in a Test match--and right after getting a reprieve in the same way just the last ball.

He knew he had been properly set. He and Puji could've fished India out of trouble. Instead, he had done this.

Rohit walked off with his head right down. Well, he always walked off with his head right down--but never had he felt so ashamed of himself before.

He reached the dugout, looking so miserable that Virat said comfortingly, "You played really well before that last shot, Rohit--better than all of us."

Rohit forced a smile at Virat. Then he noticed Jinks about to say something.

He could not bear to take sympathy from the people who had fought tooth and nail to make him play. In fact, he couldn't even stay in the same room with the two people he had just let down this badly.

Before Jinks could say anything, Rohit had shot to his feet and disappeared into the dressing room, his eyes smarting.

"He's predictably a bit upset," said Jadeja in a low voice so that only Ash, who was putting on his pad, could hear.

Ash nodded, but he couldn't think about anything like that now, because no doubt Pant would throw away his wicket any moment. He had to focus on batting.

Virat looked at Jinks in dismay. What do we do? his eyes asked.

Go to him? Jinks looked doubtful. I don't understand why he ran away.

He played a terrible shot, said Virat sadly.

But he often plays terrible shots--and it never affects him like this! argued Jinks.

Maybe because this is Test cricket, concluded Virat.

Oh--right! You got it, Virat, said Jinks. The best you can do is go and show him you still trust him.

Absolutely, agreed Virat, standing up.

Hey, wait! Jinks cried. Shall I come too? With all due respect, you've always been a little short on tact...

Don't insult me, Jinks, scowled Virat.

Virat went into the dressing room swiftly. Rahane sat back to wait.

__________

Virat saw Rohit sitting on a bench, crouching, his forehead resting on his arm. His eyes were closed, but Virat could see he looked pretty close to tears.

"What's wrong with you, Ro?" demanded Virat loudly. "It was just one inning!"

Rohit jumped violently and opened his eyes.

"I can't believe I played a shot like that," he mumbled.

"Neither can I, believe me," said Kohli emphatically. "But you always play shots like this, so I don't see what's different this time."

"You should know," said Rohit darkly.

Virat could feel his cheeks burning, but it was silly, of course. Rohit didn't know of his and Jinks' role in his selection.

Rohit felt worse as he saw his best friend's guilty and confused expression.

"Please leave me alone for a little while," said Rohit, sincerely not meaning to sound rude at all.

But Virat still looked hurt. He nodded and went out, leaving Rohit feeling the worst he had all day, because almost nothing made Rohit as upset as seeing Virat hurt.

___________

He's not listening, complained Virat to Jinks, back in the dugout. He didn't let me say anything properly.

I knew it, said Jinks matter-of-factly.

So do something! said Virat.

Let's go together, said Jinks. I'll speak if necessary.

___________

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.