It was not the usual morning for Team India in Nottingham on Friday. The players woke up to the disturbing news of a rift between captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his deputy, Virender Sehwag.
But unlike Indian teams of the past that would pass such talk as just another media stunt, Dhoni and Co. decided not to take things lying down.
Journalists were left pondering as all the 15 players along with support staff made their way to the podium at the press conference venue and Dhoni immediately read out a statement to emphasize all is well within the team.
India's captain took the opportunity to slam the report of a daily leading Indian daily saying, 'Recent reports in the Indian media of a rift between myself and Sehwag amounts to nothing but false and irresponsible media.'
So what made the team resort to this bizarre course of action? It is perhaps the first time a sports team took on the media directly.
Rediff.com brings out the sequence of events that unfolded Friday morning:
Even though news of the alleged rift had spread, it was business as usual for Team India. The players reported at 10 am local time for practice and went about their normal training routines.
Virender Sehwag, still recovering from an injury, did not take part in the batting session, but, otherwise, it seemed the champions' session was going on as planned.
Then, suddenly, Dhoni summoned his team-mates to the middle for an unusual huddle. In a hushed tone he told his boys, "All the Indian television channels and newspapers are running a story saying there is a rift between me and Sehwag, so I have decided to come out with a statement and want all you guys to come up with me at the press conference venue when I read it.
"I want the team to prove to everyone that we are a united lot and we are together."
Some team members thought it was some kind of a joke, but Dhoni was in no mood for any. He seemed quite serious.
"It is not a joke, I am serious. Let's go to the press conference and show everyone that there is nothing wrong between us," he declared.
Interestingly, while others debated the pros and cons of his decision, the man at the centre of it all, Virender Sehwag, was quick to agree to the suggestion and told Dhoni all would join him.
Dhoni then cautioned his team-mates, asking them not to talk to any press reporters during or after the statement was read out. He also urged them to leave the venue immediately after he was done, without giving any clarifications to anyone.
But then the Indian captain was reminded that as per International Cricket Council rules for the tournament, he would need to address the press on the eve of the ICC World Twenty20 match against Bangladesh.
Still, he was in no mood to relent and said no one would talk to the media today.
Team India's plan went according to script; the statement was read and immediately the players stormed out of the conference hall.
It was only after angry journalists protested the team's action that the ICC urged coach Gary Kirsten to interact with the waiting journalists.
For the moment, it seems Dhoni is no mood to forgive. He has ordered his players not give any interviews or talk to Indian media during the tournament.
Isn't it said that one rotten mango spoils the entire basket?
Photograph: Harish Kotian
