Skipper Dravid, Kumble, Uthappa make silent return

Bangalore, Mar 29 (UNI) Three Team India players from Karnataka, including skipper Rahul Dravid, came back home early today from a disastrous World Cup campaign, sans the usual fanfare, and remained reticent despite efforts made by the media to contact them.

Dravid, ace leg spinner Anil Kumble and greenhorn opener Robin Uthappa arrived here amidst tight security from London, where they stayed for a day or two after returning from the Windies, with a halt in Mumbai.

Soon after their arrival at 0430 hrs, the trio was whisked away in different cars to their homes through the VIP gate, leaving behind the big band of media persons, who had burnt the midnight oil with the hope of getting some quotes from the beaten heroes.

Dravid's wife Vijeta and Uthappa's parents were present at the airport.

The homes of Dravid in posh Indira Nagar, Kumble at Banashankari and Uthappa in R T Nagar looked deserted, except for a few policemen posted there to provide security.

Telephone calls made to the homes of cricketers was not of much use as the players were in no mood to speak up. They needed rest and respite from the media glare.

In the wake of widespread protests in various parts of the country against the team's dismal show, a huge posse of Karnataka State Reserve Police and personnel in plain clothes kept a close watch on the movement of everyone at the airport. Besides, security cover was provided to the residences of the three players.

Meanwhile, Dravid would leave for Mumbai on April six to attend the BCCI meeting on the World Cup debacle and Uthappa would emplane for Visakhapatnam to play in the inter-state Twenty20 tournament.

UNI