This team is really unified: Kirsten

One by one members of the Indian squad made their way into a packed press conference hall at the Trent Bridge stadium in Nottingham, leaving many wondering what was happening.

Just a few hours earlier, a leading Indian newspaper had run a story about a rift between captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his deputy, Virender Sehwag, and the team chose to dismiss that rumour in unique style.

In the end, it left no doubt that Dhoni certainly has the best cricketing brain in the business -- be on the field or off it -- as he labelled a responsible media as "false and irresponsible" while assuring fans all is well within the team.

Coach Gary Kirsten came out in support of the team's action, saying it was a perfect response to the critics doubting the players' unity.

"It's a huge positive to say that we stand together as a team. When we get accused of infighting it hurts us. That doesn't happen in this team. Certainly, in my time it has never happened; it just hurt a little bit. We wanted to send a message across that this team is really unified. For the Indian people as MS [Dhoni] said, this team is really close; we have been for a long time now," Kirsten said on Friday.

Asked whose idea was it to stage such a unique protest or show of unity, Kirsten replied: "It was a collective decision. The players get on with what they need to do. The players understand that there is a place for the media. At the same time, I think, there is a responsibility on both sides. We play positive, good cricket and we try and win games of cricket. From the media's side, it is important that they report responsibly. If some statement has been made that there's been infighting, I think it's not true; it's irresponsible!"

He also pointed out that some members of the squad were unhappy with the media reports and that is why decided to go ahead with the protest.

"There were individuals that felt that something needed to be done and something needed to be said and, hence, it was a collective decision to show that to the Indian people, more importantly, our team unity if they had any doubt that there was infighting in this team," said Kirsten.

However, he did manage to keep a few interested when he said that even the vice-captain of the side, that is Sehwag, is not certain of a place in the eleven.

"No one is certain of a place in the playing eleven. Everyone knows that and respects that. We have to make tough decisions when we have got talented cricketers. We go with what we think is the best combination. What really is best about this team is everyone backs everyone else," the South African said.

"You must understand there is a squad of 15. It's important to know that we back everyone in this squad. Unfortunately, we can pick only 11 on any given day. But all of them are capable of winning games of cricket and we back everyone. We have to make a choice as a selection panel as to who we think is best for the job," he stressed.

Many felt that carrying out such a drama on eve of the World Cup could be a major distraction but Kirsten said instead it has brought the team closer.

"It is a risk, but all it has done is made the players more determined. We believe we are right into this tournament now and that's given us more direction in terms of what we need to achieve for the Indian people. We are a unified team and we are proud of the fact that our performances over the last year has been about team unity.

"We don't play as individuals and we play as a team and we take a lot of pride in that fact," he said.