BCCI to seek explanation from Dravid on Chetan Desai issue on Feb 12

Rajkot, Feb 10 (UNI) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will speak to skipper Rahul Dravid over his comments on India team manager for the South African tour, Chetan Desai, on February 12 in Mumbai.

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah told reporters here today that the board members would talk to Darvid during the World Cup selection committee meeting in Mumbai on February 12 and resolve the matter amicably.

Refusing to term this issue as a controversy, Shah said that the board enjoys a very good rapport with the players and it will accordingly sort out the matter.

On the issue of Desai not having played cricket of any standard, Shah shot back that a manager does not have to have cricketing skills, but rather should have administrative skills.

Earlier while answering questions on this issue, Dravid said he was yet to receive a directive from the board on this issue and will do so when he gets a directive. Dravid also said that in India one was used to these type of controversies and you have to learn to live with them. ''We concentrate only on our cricket and how to take the team forward and improve our performances,'' he said.

Dravid had criticised Desai during the Kolkata one-dayer after he was named in the manager's report of being stubborn on the inclusion of out of form Sehwag in the Test team in South Africa against the coach's wishes. Dravid had also asked for the inclusion of half fit Munaf Patel in the the third Test team.

Reacting to the contents of the leakage, Dravid in an uncharesteristic fashion had lambasted Desai saying that he (Desai) did not have any standing in the game and that he did not care for observation from people who have no standing in Indian cricket.

UNI