New Delhi: When one says the Captain of a team has appealed in support of his teammate despite ICC’s advice, that’s usual. But when someone says Indian Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appealed for his man despite being advised by ICC chairman N Srinivasan, it raises many eyebrows!
Dhoni is believed to share a special bond with N Srinivasan. It became quite evident that Dhoni is supposedly Srini’s special man, when he was appointed the Vice- President of India Cements, the company owned by Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan and where Srinivasan, himself, holds the position of Vice Chairman and Managing Director.
Even, in one of the interviews, earlier this year, Srinivasan had hinted that he had saved Dhoni from being axed from the Indian Cricket Team.
Other incidents which throw more light on their friendship include an instance that happened earlier this year after his appointment as Vice President in Srinivasan’s firm when Dhoni had expressed his desire not to play in the Irani Cup in the run-up to the Test Series in Australia. But, it came as a surprise when Dhoni’s name was included in the Indian Cements squad for the Corporate Trophy that had begun around the same time.
Srinivasan’s fondness for Dhoni is well known ever since the wicket keeper-batsman was made the Captain of Gurunath’s Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural Indian Premier League season in 2008.
Dhoni is the only player, indeed, who is an exception, who didn’t lose his captaincy even after the eight continuous defeats of India in overseas Test matches in 2011-2012. Critics say the alleged relationship between Dhoni and Srinivasan, the BCCI Chief at that time, had kept the selectors mum.
They could not wield the axe as Dhoni had been indulged by the Board Chief. It is very much obvious from such incidents that Dhoni has always been successful in retaining a cordial relationship with Srinivasan.
But now the Indian skipper decided to veto ICC chairman N Srinivasan’s advice not to appeal against the penalty on Ravindra Jadeja. ICC had fined Jadeja 50% of his match fees for an altercation with England pacer James Anderson during the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
According to reports, Srinivasan had requested the Indian team management in England not to appeal the fine, but Dhoni put his foot down. Dhoni had told the media in Southampton that Jadeja “did nothing wrong” and ICC penalty was “hurtful.”
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket India is seemingly arming itself to the teeth to ‘defend’ Jadeja in the ‘Pushgate’ controversy. According to a newspaper report, the Indian Board has obtained video ‘evidence’ to prove that Jadeja is innocent. Jadeja and England bowler James Anderson were involved in a spat on Day 2 of the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on July 10.