Indians lodge protest over Rixon8217;s remarks

Rixon, a former Australian wicket-keeper now coaching the New Zealand team, has been quoted by a newspaper as saying, 8220;we were in the box seat in Wellington. Looking at the Indians, it seems the first thing they have in mind is to take the first flight home8221;.

In a letter to New Zealand Cricket chief executive Christopher Diog, Indian team manager SDA Drabu said: 8220;It seems Mr Rixon is uncontrollable8221;.It would be best if he Rixon returns home,8221; Drabu added.

Anshuman Gaekwad, the coach of the Indian team, said it was improper for Rixon to have made such a comment.

8220;It would be good if he minds his own team. He has no right to comment on us. Itwould be better if he leaves our business to us,8221; Gaekwad said, adding 8220;i can tell you boys were pretty upset and did play as if with a point to prove.8221;

8220;We are not in the business of retaliating. It is always better to let your actions speak. They are louder than words.8221;

At Dunedin when India had rejected the proposal of playing the abandoned first Test under light or during the extended hours, Rixon had made a nasty comment that 8220;matches are not won in dressing room.8221;

Meanwhile, a delighted skipper Mohd Azharuddin praised the bowlers and Rahul Dravid and was happy with a better fielding display.

8220;it was a good toss to win. Our bowlers really bowled a very good line, especially Srinath. Prasad was unlucky not to get many wickets. He passed the edge a great many times and a catch was dropped his bowling,8221; he said after the five-wicket win gave his team the edge going into the final tie at Christchurch on January 19.

8220;I8217;ve always felt the Auckland wicket has something for bowlers in themorning of a match,8221; he said adding that chasing 250 or even 230 can be tough as the ball tends to get softer after 30 overs.

Azhar felt India were beginning to have a blend of players like Tendulkar, Ganguly, and Robin Singh who are lending more variety to the bowling. 8220;They must bowl a lot more in the nets to be accurate in the middle,8221; he said.Azhar paid rich tributes to Dravid, who top-scored with a fluent 51. 8220;Rahul has played very well the entire series. You can8217;t expect Sachin to score runs all the time. He is a human being too. Dravid is a tremendous player and there is no doubt about his ability. I8217;m happy he has come back to one-day cricket with a bang. It8217;s a big bonus for us,8221; he said.

On Tendulkar8217;s injury in his left forearm, he said it was a slight strain after he was struck by the bat handle of Ganguly going for a run. 8220;It is a bit sore, but we have two days before the final game. He should be alright.8221;