Dhoni denies any rift in Team India by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

---

Player:	MS Dhoni, V Sehwag
Event:	ICC World Twenty20 2009

---

DateLine: 6th June 2009

 

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was apparently upset over reports back home and the swashbuckler presented himself with his entire team before the media.

 

Dhoni strongly denied there was any rift between him and his deputy Virender Sehwag.

 

Dhoni, who was expected to address the press on the eve of their opening match against Bangladesh in the Twenty20 World Cup, came to the press conference with the rest of his mates only to read out a statement on the entire team's behalf which stressed the unity among them.

 

His brief statement primarily dealt with media reports in India about the alleged rift between Sehwag and him and he firmly squashed it. However, he did not take any questions.

 

Dhoni's comments on Thursday on Sehwag's injuries and a reply "may be you should ask his physio to issue a press release" lent itself to media speculation of a rift between the two.

 

"This message is for the people of India and for Indian cricket fans worldwide and comes from the whole team," the statement read out by Dhoni on Friday said.

 

"Recent reports in the Indian media of a rift between myself and Sehwag amount to nothing but false and irresponsible media reporting," it said.

 

"Our fans and supporters can take confidence from the wonderful unity that continues to exist in the team," Dhoni added.

 

The Indian captain also said his team was very well prepared and unified as they launch their campaign to defend their title on Saturday.

 

"As we prepare for the T20 World Cup we are a superbly unified team. The team spirit is as good as it has ever been with each individual supporting each other -- both on and off the team.

 

"We thank our fans for their continued support and look forward to entertaining u during this tournament, which we go into well prepared, unified as Team India and confident," he said.