Coach Gary Kirsten says his team has enough experience and unity to deal with reports about differences between BCCI/selectors and skipper Dhoni
Coach Gary Kirsten says his team has enough experience and unity to deal with reports about differences between BCCI/selectors and skipper Dhoni
India coach Gary Kirsten has stressed that all talk surrounding a tiff between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N Srinivasan and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has not affected his team's focus for Sunday's last Group game.
Sections of the media on Thursday reported that Dhoni was pulled up by Srinivasan as well as chairman of selectors, Krishnamachari Srikkanth over team composition for Sunday's tie against West Indies.
Some reports even said that the senior players in the side 'were unhappy' with Dhoni's selection policies. Others said that Dhoni 'was rigid' in his justification to persist with under-fire bowlers Piyush Chawla and Ashish Nehra when pulled up by Srikkanth and Srinivasan. It must be noted that under India's selection policy, Dhoni, as a skipper, has the power to overrule the selection panel's suggestions. Once the team is selected, Dhoni's decision is final.
Damage control
Yesterday, the BCCI issued a press release denying the occurrence of the meeting. MiD DAY ran into Kirsten during the sidelines of yesterday's practice session here at Chepauk.
When asked if his boys were affected by the media reports, Kirsten quipped: "What report are you talking about, mate?" When explained that it was regarding Chawla's selection over Ashwin, and a rift between BCCI and Dhoni, Kirsten was not amused. "You know what makes this team special is that there are players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag who have been in such situations before, and know exactly how to handle it. 
Members of the Indian team celebrate the dismissal of SA's J P Duminy
during their World Cup matchu00a0 in Nagpur on March 12. Pic/AFP
"During such a big tournament, such things are bound to happen. People will talk, judge, and comment. We have enough wise heads in the team to take a call on selections." The South African added before rushing off to the nets: "Our job as a team is to stay focussed on the job, we are a united bunch. I am blessed to have players who won't get distracted by such reports. Sometimes it's better not to read newspapers. There has been a lot of criticism of the team, but let's not forget that we could have won all our games if you minus or add a few runs here and there."
Just one loss
India, who have beaten Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands, tied their game against England, and lost to South Africa in a last-over thriller on March 12. Team India's respect for Gary Kirsten, who is set to quit as coach after the World Cup, revolves around the fact that the South African gives the players utmost freedom to express themselves, rarely makes a controversial statement, stays away from media unlike his predecessor Greg Chappell, and does everything in his capacity to create a harmonious environment in the dressing room. These are qualities that have earned the admiration ofu00a0 Sachin Tendulkar.
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