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Chappell denies team rift

January 13, 2006

India coach Greg ChappellĀ denied any rift in the team after television images showed Sourav Ganguly engaged in an animated discussion with him and skipper Rahul Dravid before the first Test against Pakistan.

"It was nothing, we were just discussing cricket. Why do you people have to read more into everything?" Chappell told a news conference on Friday.

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A team source said the discussion centred around who would open the innings, with both former captain Ganguly and Dravid keen to take one of the slots.

Ganguly has been at the centre of controversy since his omission from third Test team against Sri Lanka last month caused a national outcry.

The 33-year-old left-hander, India's most successful Test skipper, had been stripped of the captaincy in October after a slump in his batting form.

Asked why Ganguly had been selected to play in the first Test against Pakistan, Chappell said the best and most experienced team had been picked.

He added that no decision had been taken on whether Ganguly would open for India.

"We have not decided on this as yet. But we will have the best possible batting line up," the Australian said.

Indian team manager Raj Singh Dungarpur said there had been no pressure to recall Ganguly to the Test side.

"There was no pressure from the board to pick Sourav. We all thought it best to put this matter to rest by playing him," he said.

Source: REUTERS
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