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[keep-it-cool]

Controversy follows follow-on debate
TNN / Bobilli Vijay Kumar
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http://cricket.indiatimes.com/News/NewsControversy_follows_follow-on_debate/articleshow/2283507.cms

GLASGOW, August 15: Zaheer Khan's comment on a TV channel that he was "not tired" has triggered off a controversy, since it appears to be contradicting captain Rahul Dravid's rationale for not enforcing a follow-on in the third Test on the ground that his bowlers had become tired after the first England innings.

Indian team members are upset by what they claim is a distortion of Zaheer's response to an innocuous question. The mood in the Indian dressing room on Wednesday didn't convey the impression it was preparing for a low-key match against Scotland.

In fact, the management, players and support staff were actually raging here in beautiful Glasgow. "Everybody is very upset," confirmed team manager Rocky Roufus. "The players are quite tired with the way quotes are being misinterpreted or being used back home, especially on television," he said.

The current wave of anger has been triggered by the allegation that Zaheer Khan has questioned Rahul Dravid's decision not to enforce the follow-on on the fourth day of the third Test at the Oval.

Interestingly, Zaheer is on record saying, "As far as I am concerned, I have given my everything to the series. I don't think I was tired or anything."

Dravid simply refused to react on the subject. "It's too ridiculous even to say anything," he said. It may be recalled that the captain, while explaining his decision not to enforce the follow-on, had said: "I have seen the bowlers from close quarters and could read their body language. They had just bowled 90-odd overs and they were tired. If I had been in the living room, I too would have been disappointed with the decision."

Incidentally, Zaheer, who has been India's star bowler on this tour, didn't take a single wicket in the last innings. England played out 110 overs to draw the Test.

Dravid has been at the receiving end since then, with a few accusing him of being over-cautious, if not timid. A few have even blamed him for squandering the opportunity to win 2-0 all over again. He has, however, received support from unexpected quarters, including England skipper Michael Vaughan.

Zaheer too was heard telling a couple of friends, "I was asked a question, I just replied to it. If it is taken out of context what can I do?" He was seen shaking his head, as he walked back into the dressing room.

The manager expressed helplessness when a few requests were made for interviews, even for just one television quote about Independence.

"None of the players is in any mood to talk today," he said.

There were whispers that the entire episode had come to a boil, with Dravid even giving Zaheer Khan a lashing in the dressing room in the morning and even the Board calling the fast bowler (which could not be confirmed from sources in India).

A team member here, meanwhile, bluntly denied any lashing for the fast bowler. Laughing loudly, he said, "I have been with Zaheer through the morning. Do you think I wouldn't have known if something like that had happened in the dressing room?"

[gouravk]

Kic

The times group is playing a double game here. On their tv channel they are trying to create rifts in the Indian team by twisting statements. In the newspaper they are trying to paint a rosy picture. all very amusing i must say. Glad to see that the people who matter - zaheer and dravid can look past it and concentrate on their job.

[feverpitch]

Hmm... so now the spin doctor brigade is now back in business -- in full swing. guess this had to happen, coz after Zaks performance, he couldn't be left out, as Messers Shah and co. are normally known to do.

[keep-it-cool]

So, what is spin and what is not depends on how it ties in with ones own views.

[feverpitch]

So, what is spin and what is not depends on how it ties in with ones own views.

exactly. now you are a qualified rocket scientist!

[pipsqueak]

suddenly, "unknown sources" have turned reliable?  

[keep-it-cool]

Some "unknown sources" being pitted against other "unknown sources" ... incidentally belonging to the same group ... it seems TOI and Times Now have conflicting sources of information.

Besides, Rocky Roufus is not exactly an unknown source ...

[keep-it-cool]

So, what is spin and what is not depends on how it ties in with ones own views.

exactly. now you are a qualified rocket scientist!

i guess one has to be a rocket scientist to understand what drives some people .... but, alas, not worth the effort

[pipsqueak]

Some "unknown sources" being pitted against other "unknown sources" ... incidentally belonging to the same group ... it seems TOI and Times Now have conflicting sources of information.

Besides, Rocky Roufus is not exactly an unknown source ...

i was referring to the other portions where a "certain player" said smthing. anyway, i don't think ZK had any injury and that wasn't the reason why RD chose to bat on.

[keep-it-cool]

Some "unknown sources" being pitted against other "unknown sources" ... incidentally belonging to the same group ... it seems TOI and Times Now have conflicting sources of information.

Besides, Rocky Roufus is not exactly an unknown source ...

i was referring to the other portions where a "certain player" said smthing. anyway, i don't think ZK had any injury and that wasn't the reason why RD chose to bat on.

neither RD nor anyone from the team claimed that to be the case. ...he just said that he opted not to ask much more from the bowlers after all the bowling they have done in the series so far

[pipsqueak]

Some "unknown sources" being pitted against other "unknown sources" ... incidentally belonging to the same group ... it seems TOI and Times Now have conflicting sources of information.

Besides, Rocky Roufus is not exactly an unknown source ...

i was referring to the other portions where a "certain player" said smthing. anyway, i don't think ZK had any injury and that wasn't the reason why RD chose to bat on.

neither RD nor anyone from the team claimed that to be the case. ...he just said that he opted not to ask much more from the bowlers after all the bowling they have done in the series so far

did i say that they did? many here were(still are)claiming so, despite RD and ZK not saying a word about it.

[keep-it-cool]

Some "unknown sources" being pitted against other "unknown sources" ... incidentally belonging to the same group ... it seems TOI and Times Now have conflicting sources of information.

Besides, Rocky Roufus is not exactly an unknown source ...

i was referring to the other portions where a "certain player" said smthing. anyway, i don't think ZK had any injury and that wasn't the reason why RD chose to bat on.

neither RD nor anyone from the team claimed that to be the case. ...he just said that he opted not to ask much more from the bowlers after all the bowling they have done in the series so far

did i say that they did? many here were(still are)claiming so, despite RD and ZK not saying a word about it.

yeah, i did notice that exciting medical discussion