There's no rift in the Indian team, says BCCI

There is nothing to be concerned about: N Srinivasan.

Amid intense speculation of a rift between India captain MS Dhoni and his deputy Virender Sehwag, the BCCI said there is nothing to be concerned about. BCCI President N Srinivasan also termed media reports alluding to the rift as "exaggerated".

Srinivasan said there is no rift in the team, adding he has checked with the team's media manager inAustralia. "You have no knowledge of it. I don't think there is any rift in the team. There is nothing to be concerned about," Srinivasan told reporters after a meeting of the IPL Governing Council in New Delhi.

BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla said Sehwag had been misquoted and added the alleged rift was speculation on part of the media. "Sehwag has been misquoted. That's what we came to understand. There is no rift in the team. It is only a speculation by a section of media. I don't think there is any problem. BCCI is in constant touch with the team," Shukla said.

Talking about the rotation policy, Shukla said the playing XI in the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Series is decided by the manager, captain and coach.

The bad blood between Dhoni and Sehwag appeared to spill out when the latter accused his skipper of not being truthful on the team's controversial rotation policy. Talking to reporters after India weredefeated by Sri Lanka at Brisbane, Sehwag said the senior players had not been informed that their 'slow fielding' was an issue and added Dhoni had said the rotation policy has been put in place to ensure the youngsters in the team get a chance to bat on the Australian pitches. On Sunday, afterIndia’s 110-run loss to Australia, Dhoni had said the top three batsmen were not playing every game because they are slow on the field.

Dhoni had said on Sunday the top three are not being played together as it would affect India's fielding, adding that they could break down fielding in the big grounds of Australia. “They are safe fielders, but on the slower side... The pressure would be on them. There would be breakdowns… You can pull a muscle or hamstring," Dhoni said.

Sehwag, who has been struggling for runs in the Commonwealth Bank Series, said he is available for all matches, but denied there was any rift in the team. "We are one unit and a happy unit. He (Dhoni) is the captain… He can say whatever he wants. He addresses the media, has been doing it for the last two years, and we are okay with it," he said.