The BCCI said Mahendra Singh Dhoni's comment on coach Duncan Fletcher is his "personal opinion" after the national team's captain said that Fletcher still called the shots and would lead them into next year's World Cup.
"I have not spoken to Dhoni and so the BCCI will not like to react to his comments," said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel about Dhoni's comments on the eve of their one-day series against England which appeared to undermine former captain Ravi Shastri.
"However, it seemed to me as his personal opinion," said Patel.
Shastri was appointed as director of cricket for the one-day series as part of a coaching shake-up following the 3-1 test series defeat. The appointment had created questions about Fletcher's role after bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding mentor Trevor Penney were also given a 'break' for the series by the BCCI.
Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun were made assistant coaches and R. Sridhar named as fielding coach.
Shastri who played 80 tests and 150 ODIs for India said after his appointment that the team staff', including Fletcher, will report to him.
The 33-year-old Dhoni who leads India in all three formats and captained the side to their 50-over World Cup victory at home in 2011 however said Fletcher was still firmly in charge.
"Definitely he (Fletcher) will lead us into the World Cup," Dhoni told reporters in Bristol on the eve of the five-match series.
"Also he is still the boss. We have Ravi (Shastri) who will look into everything, but Duncan Fletcher is the boss. It's not as if his powers or his position have been curtailed. I don't know what you feel from outside, but still operations remain the same. We have a few other support staff who come into the dressing room, but overall the operation remains the same," said the Indian skipper.
Reuters
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