Dravid dismisses controversy

Team India skipper Rahul Dravid today dismissed the controversy raging over the Sehwag-Chappell issue after the reported remarks of the tour manager.

Team India skipper Rahul Dravid today dismissed the controversy raging over the Sehwag-Chappell issue after the reported remarks of the tour manager. Dravid said he found no reference of the manager in question in cricket8217;s 8220;history8221; books and as such his comments weren8217;t worth anything.

8220;I have seen a lot of Indian cricket history, and I haven8217;t found the name of the person who did this read: India manager Chetan Desai. His name doesn8217;t feature prominently in the history books of Indian cricket. Maybe, I have to look up the history books again and then get back to you,8221; an unusually sarcastic Dravid told mediapersons this afternoon, disdainfully dismissing the tour manager8217;s stand on the controversy.

Desai, hailing from the Goa Cricket Association GCA, reportedly submitted a report to the Board officials, giving a detailed account of Sehwag8217;s misadventures on the South African tour that saw him at loggerheads with coach Greg Chappell.

Dravid8217;s stance on the issue 8212; that there8217;s no problem between the coach and the player 8212; comes across as surprising, given that the Karnataka batsman has never been known to castigate anybody so openly in the press. 8220;To be honest about it, there8217;s no problem in the team at all, between the players and the coach. I have not seen the report. Putting things in perspective, I am being asked to give my views on a report submitted by someone who8217;s name I haven8217;t seen in the history books,8221; Dravid said, clearly indicating that he was in mood to support Desai8217;s complaint with the Board.

That the Indian captain assertively tried to defend the mercurial Sehwag became all the more obvious when the issue of Sehwag8217;s form came up for debate.

8220;He8217;s back now, and I am looking forward to seeing him do well. Remember, Viru is a very important player in the team, going by World Cup plans, and the break that he got must have done him good,8221; Dravid said.

The captain and No 3 batsman continued: 8220;He8217;s had time away, it8217;s a good thing. Sometimes, when you get a break, with the pressure taken away from you, it can help you come back better. Anyway, all that Sehwag needs now is to get his confidence back.8221;