The first googly bowled at India came even before play began today — and it came from their own side. The players were still warming up for the first day’s play against Pakistan ‘A’ at the Bagh-E-Jinnah ground when news filtered in of team manager Raj Singh Dungarpur’s alleged outburst (later denied) against Sourav Ganguly. This was the last thing the cricketers needed, especially as they thought they’d left the confusion behind in India. ‘‘Let’s just get on with the game,’’ one senior player said, the disapproval clear on his face, as he sought to get their focus back on track. The ripple effects were felt through the day, which was sad really because here was a day made for cricket: Clear skies, bright sun, not too cold and the comforting sound of wood hitting leather as Jaffer and Gambhir gave India a solid start. Yet the whispers wouldn’t go away and eventually Dungarpur—standing right in front of the players’ pavilion—denied everything that he’d been quoted as saying. Back home, the issue inevitably snowballed with Jagmohan Dalmiya saying he’d raise it at the next BCCI meeting. Ganguly, when asked for his comment, refused to react, saying only that he’d prove himself on the field. Dungarpur in denial mode
