ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):
INDIA WICKET-KEEPER Mahendra Dhoni said he was emphatically told by West Indies captain Brian Lara he should walk off "because he was taking charge of his players" after Dhoni was controversially caught by Daren Ganga on the midwicket boundary on the fourth day of the opening Test here yesterday.
And match referee Jeff Crowe later indicated that the incident was closed by saying "everyone went away feeling pleased" after the umpires met with rival captains Lara and Rahul Dravid.
Play was held up for about 10 minutes towards the close of the India innings after standing umpires Simon Taufel of Australia and Pakistani Asad Rauf, as well as the television umpire, Billy Doctrove of Dominica, could not determine whether Ganga had taken the catch cleanly as the big-hitting Dhoni tried for a fourth consecutive six off left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed.
THIRD UMPIRE
"I talked to the umpires and they said they were not really sure and would be asking the third umpire. (Then) Brian came up to me and he said I am taking charge of my players so I think you should walk off," Dhoni told reporters at a Press conference.
"He said whatever they say it will be the truth, so then I decided I should walk off from the field. That means he was taking the responsibility of his players and he said he was speaking the truth and was backing his players. He came late to me."
Dhoni, who slammed 69 off 52 balls with six sixes and four boundaries, reckoned Ganga, himself, may have been uncertain if he took the catch without touching the boundary rope.
"At first it was Daren and Daren was not really sure because it was on his backside, and I think it's really hard to feel a paper if you step on the paper. He was not entirely sure about it. He said he wasn't sure if he stepped on it."
With a long range discussion going on with Dravid from the front of the dressing room, Dhoni and his partner Mohammad Kaif eventually walked off as India declared on 521 for six after play was seemingly about to restart and immediately following an angry snatching of the ball by Lara from the hands of Rauf.
"It was between me Kaif and whoever on the field," Dhoni said of their decision to head to the pavilion.
FIELDER'S WORDS
"I think I accepted the fielder's words and I came back. It's now a topic that should be left alone. We have had enough of it on the field and we have a 90-over game. We are chatting more on that topic rather than chatting on the cricket."
Dhoni was referring to West Indies' target of 392 off a minimum 95 overs as they closed on 13 without loss in five overs.
West Indies Cricket Board media relations officer Imran Khan belatedly quoted Crowe as saying: "The umpires met with the captains and everyone went away feeling pleased."
Asked what instructions he was given on going to the crease, Dhoni responded: "To stay there for quite some time and then go after the bowling."
According to Dhoni, the pitch has become easier for batting but he is backing veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble to play a key role in India's quest for a win.
"We have Anil Kumble who is a most difficult bowler to bat, particularly on the fifth day. I think it will be a good match and our bowlers will have to bowl their heart out. They have good batsmen, their batting line-up is good.
"I think it is quite still a good wicket to bat on. It has eased out a bit from what it was on the first day so I think it's a pretty good track to bat on," Dhoni said.
