Indians lodge protest over Rixon’s remarks

Rixon, a former Australian wicket-keeper now coaching the New Zealand team, has been quoted by a newspaper as saying, “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 home”.

In a letter to New Zealand Cricket chief executive Christopher Diog, Indian team manager SDA Drabu said: “It seems Mr Rixon is uncontrollable”.It would be best if he (Rixon) returns home,” Drabu added.

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

“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,” Gaekwad said, adding “i can tell you boys were pretty upset and did play as if with a point to prove.”

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

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 “matches are not won in dressing room.”

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

“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,” he said after the five-wicket win gave his team the edge going into the final tie at Christchurch on January 19.

“I’ve always felt the Auckland wicket has something for bowlers in themorning of a match,” 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. “They must bowl a lot more in the nets to be accurate in the middle,” he said.Azhar paid rich tributes to Dravid, who top-scored with a fluent 51. “Rahul has played very well the entire series. You can’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. I’m happy he has come back to one-day cricket with a bang. It’s a big bonus for us,” he said.

On Tendulkar’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. “It is a bit sore, but we have two days before the final game. He should be alright.”