The next five days were the toughest for Virat. The frustration was bubbling in him. Sanjay sir was just giving him no importance. three days before the match when they were strategizing, he actually almost had a fight with MSD. It seemed to be the only way It seemed to be the only way Manjarekar would hear him. And then two days before match he overheard a conversation that almost tipped his switch. Sanjay sir was talking to their batting coach Ajay Rathore. "Who is Virat?" He said  "But Sanjay he is the captain" Ajay said. "When I started out I did try to listen to Virat" Sanjay said "But he himself works under MS. Have you ever seen him telling MS off for anything even for basic mistakes. Even if MS doesn't turn up to practice. He won't say anything. And MS doesnt give wrong suggestions." "But it's Virat's team now." Ajay said "And he values MS enough without you treating him second hand." "I am NOT treating him second hand" Manjarekar said "Virat is of great value to India he should learn to get out of his shadows. But if he decides to be in his shadows, I have to listen to the stronger mind. But I really hope Virat steps up. Because MS...no leave it I won't speak without proof" Virat walked back to his room and thinking and re-thinking these words. Was he really in the shadows of MS? But Bhai always told him otherwise... But then why would Sanjay sir think so? He fell into an uneasy sleep.

While Manjarekar and Ajay shared a laugh. The conversation had been planned and Virat had heard just what they wanted him to hear.

Hardik was scrolling through his news feed when something caught his eyes an article about him bieng an womanizer. It said about numerous dates he had had. It also had some names of the girls he had met. Hardik had dated a number of girls but not because he liked that kick, but because none of them had liked him for bieng him. But that's not all it cited the source one of the big shots of the team. The Team. Impossibly Hardik thought, none of them would do that for sure. But then the paper wouldn't such a blatent lie. And moreover how had they gotten this information. He had been extremely careful to avoid the media. Then how?

Next day at practice two thing we're noticeably. One Hardik was off. He was eyeing people, behaving strangely as though trying to assess something. He was trying his best to look casual but pretending didn't just come to Hardik in anyway. Second thing was MSD was half an hour late for practice which was a rare occurrence in itself. He was one of the most disciplined and punctual player in the team. But even more strange was Kohli's reaction. "Aap itne late ho Gaye Bhai?" Virat asked in a midly irritated voice. "Arey woh ek unavoidable meeting thhi. My manager told me last night. I had to take it. O tried to reschedule it but it was impossible. Main tujhe Bata nhi saka. But I told Sanjay sir...didn't he..." "I am sorry Virat" Sanjay said jumping in "MS told me last night, I forgot to inform you." "Yeah I told him tell you" MS said. "With all due respect to sir and you Bhai, I am the captain, don't you think you should have informed me too rather than passing on the information to me second hand. Rules are same for everyone Bhai." Virat said his eyes glinting with anger, now Bhai was also treating him second hand too. "Virat I am sorry." Mahi said "Par maine group main msg dala tha." "Did you inform me?" Virat said his voice rising "Just because I respect you doesn't mean that you can be above the rules. I am letting off you this one time from next time I will take disciplinary actions." "I sincerely apologise for this Virat" MS said, hiding the hurt that he felt at Virat behaving like that in front of the whole team. "I will pay the fine if you want." "No , I am letting you off this time" Virat said. "And also from now on punishment for breaking rules is burpees and laps around the ground not fines. The captain has changes and so will the rules." "Of course skipper" MS said quitely. "Now please go to your practice." Virat said MS left quitely. While Sanjay smirked to himself, this was going well. Dhoni had presented this opportunity himself, there had been some mix up with his manager and the meeting had been scheduled right before practice. When MSD went tell Virat, he had already fallen asleep and bieng the caring kind he is, he didn't have the heart wake Virat up. So he did what he could think of, that is msged in the group and told Sanjay to inform Virat. And Sanjay saw his opportunity to start the rift. He purposefully didn't inform Virat And his plan worked, Virat had shouted on Bhai.
Hardik saw the uncharacteristic anger of Virat to Dhoni and he wondered what was wrong there. The team really didn't seem like in a good mental place.
Virat came back to his room feeling half enraged and half guilty. He started scrolling through news something he knew he shouldn't do, Bhai always advised against it. But at this moment he didn't care. And as soon as he opened the news he got most intrigued. A news portal said "Kohli-Dhoni fight: All not well in Indian dressing room" and then went on to describe the little argument they had in last night's meeting room. It said a very important member of the Indian dressing room had given them this information. Well Kohli believes them, or else how else would this information reach the press. What was happening?
Manjarekar felt very satisfied, the plan was falling simlessly into place. But it was important to keep hitting them with new blows because Kohli and Dhoni were practically inseparable and if left to their own devices, they could short out any rift within few days.
In the dinner time Dhoni noticed how disturbed Kohli was and even though he had behaved like an idiot in the morning, Dhoni went to him to ask what's wrong, Kohli was his brother after all. "Cheeku" he said quitely slipping into the seat next to Dhoni "What's wrong?" "Nothing Bhai" Virat said trying to hide his worry "and Bhai...I am sorry about today morning" "Arey that's nothing Cheeku" Mahi brushed it off "Are you sure you are ok?" "Yeah Bhai" Kohli said not wanting worry Mahi with that news "Just worried about tomorrow's match." "Match will be good" Mahi said reassuringly "You got this kiddo" "Thanks Bhai" Virat said pressing his arm. Just then Hardik came and sat right next to MS. "Bhai I can't de-shell the lobster" he whined to MS making Virat laugh. "Give I will do it for you" MS said laughing and pushing his own plate away to  take Hardik's plate. He de-shelled the lobster carefully and gave it back to him. It seemed to be perfect again in that moment as the rest of the team joined them and they laughed about nothing and everything. "Enjoy MS, enjoy your brothers around you" Sanjay thought "but not for long"

A/N: Please read and review. I am putting a lot of heart in this book and trying to update fast even though I am a little backed up. Please read and review.