Srinath blames Dhoni-media rift for debacle by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	J Srinath, MS Dhoni
Event:	ICC World Twenty20 2009

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DateLine: 15th June 2009

 

Former India speedster Javagal Srinath feels Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rift with the media was a major factor in India’s early exit from the ICC World Twenty20.

 

India, the defending champions of the tournament bowed out of the tournament on Sunday after losing to hosts England by three runs at Lord's.

 

Post the defeat, Dhoni's on-field tactics which included sending Ravindra Jadeja before Yuvraj Singh in the batting order have come in for severe criticism.

 

However, Srinath said that Dhoni's response to the controversy surrounding Virender Sehwag's fitness was more important than all else.

 

"I think the row between Dhoni and the media was unnecessary and I hope Dhoni manages the fallout of the early exit better," Srinath said.

 

"This team has been fantastic in the last couple of years and they should have won this tournament for sure."

 

Srinath said that the defeat is difficult to digest especially because the team started off so well in the warm-up games.

 

"I really believe the build-up and the way they played their warm-up games and the first two matches of the tournament was perfect," he said.