Team members refuse to comment

Members of the Indian cricket team who take unlimited calls on their mobile phones daily are now a petrified lot. Most of them, who returned on Saturday after winning the just-concluded Test series against Zimbabawe, have switched off their phones and refuse to take calls from journalists even on their landlines.

Ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who bowled a doosra to coach Greg Chappell, accusing him of trying to undermine the confidence of the players and making them feel insecure, has virtually gone underground after being pulled up by the Punjab Cricket Association for speaking in favour of captain Sourav Ganguly.

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In fact, a recorded message on Harbhajan's telephone tells you to check the dialed number, which until Sunday evening was very much in operation.

"In his bid to please his mentor, Ganguly, he jumped the gun and acted more loyal to the king himself," said a former India captain, known for Ganguly-bashing on every conceivable occasion.

When contacted on phone, senior team members Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble preferred not to get involved in the controversy.

"No comments," was Dravid's reply, while Kumble said, "I have nothing to say in this matter."

Former India wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia also was reluctant to comment, but when pressed said: "I really feel sorry for Chappell; I won't say anything else. Everybody knows what is going on."

Another former India and Haryana wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra sought to be excused from the controversy even though he is not part of the current team.

"As far as I am concerned everything was okay when I was playing," he reluctantly conceded.

The stand-off between Ganguly and Chappell has reached a crescendo and no cricketer, barring Harbhajan, is willing to stick his neck out, particularly when the stakes are so high.

"Who knows what will happen tomorrow. If Ganguly continues to lead then those going against him better watch out. In case Chappell continues, then those supporting to captain will be on the chopping block. We are here to play cricket and, hopefully, the matter would be sorted out at the Board's review meeting on Tuesday, in Mumbai," said a senior team member who had to be assured that his identity would not be revealed.

With inputs from Special Correspondent Harish Kotian