Sanjay Patel denies rift in the team

Mumbai: BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel refuted reports of an alleged altercation between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan in the dressing room on the fourth day of the Gabba Test. “I am in touch with Ravi Shastri (team director) on a daily basis. I had a chat with him on Tuesday too, and nothing was reported to me. I can tell you there was no flare-up in the Indian dressing room.”

According to a report, Kohli was upset to be rushed into play after overnight batsman Dhawan informed the team management that he won’t be able to start the proceedings with Vijay.  Kohli got out for just one run and his dismissal sparked a collapse as the visitors were reduced from 71 for 1 to 87 for 5. The report further stated that Kohli blamed Dhawan for his dismissal and suspected the latter of faking an injury. Dhawan denied Kohli’s claims and eventually it was Ravi Shastri, who calmed the two.  

Meanwhile, Patel said that the BCCI will continue to stick to its stand on the DRS issue. After the second Test Indian captain M.S Dhoni had said there were 50-50 decisions which did not go in India’s favour. Patel said that it was time umpires lifted their standards. “The basic issue is of umpiring. Umpires need to improve their overall standards and do a better job.”
The top official said that the ball tracking technology that forms a vital part of the system can easily be tampered with by simply moving the camera. “At present the ball projection system is not full proof. By moving the camera even slightly, you can alter the ball trajectory.”

Patel further added that the decision to review a decision should be handed over to the third umpire and not the players. “The third umpire is observing everything on a screen. If a wrong decision is made, he should be able to call it. He has every technology at his disposal and must come into the picture.”

Jadeja should be fit for World Cup
The Indian selectors are likely to assemble between Jan 7-10 to select teams for the Australia tri-series and the World Cup that follows. The Indian board is hoping that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is returning from Australia, will be fit ahead of the marquee clash. “He will arrive in Mumbai in a couple of days and our doctors will monitor him. He will need about a month to recover.”

Meanwhile, the IPL governing council members met on Tuesday and have decided to hold the IPL auction in the second week of February.