“We are receiving so many calls from media about Ashwin and Kumar’s fitness,” team media manager Dr Baba said in an e-mail on Thursday. . PHOTO BCCI.
SYDNEY: India have dismissed reports questioning the fitness of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravi Ashwin and said both are “very much available” for their second World Cup match against South Africa in Melbourne on Sunday.
Seamer Kumar was reported to be a doubt after a lacklustre training session in Melbourne on Wednesday, while other reports said off-spinner Ashwin was struck by an Umesh Yadav delivery while batting in the same nets.
“We are receiving so many calls from media about Ashwin and Kumar’s fitness,” team media manager Dr Baba said in an e-mail on Thursday.
“[The] above players are very much available for selection for [the] match against South Africa.”
India opened their World Cup defence with a convincing 76-run victory over Pakistan in Adelaide last Sunday and would be looking to build up on the momentum.
India’s sounds of silence irks media
Defending champions India may be one of the most high-profile teams at the World Cup, but their reluctance to interact with the media has frustrated the large contingent of travelling reporters.
The players have not spoken publicly since skipper MS Dhoni addressed the mandatory post-match conference after the victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide last Sunday.
When the squad’s media manager puts out a release detailing practice times and venues, he does not fail to emphasise there will be “no media activity” after training.
While other teams organise regular media interactions during the six-week tournament, the Indian squad is apparently following a diktat from the Board of Control for Cricket in India to speak publicly only when it is mandated by rules.
“I think it all boils down to the mistrust of the media,” said veteran Indian journalist R Kaushik of the WisdenIndia website. “There has to be a reason for it, but I don’t know what.”
Another Indian journalist said she finds it easier to work with other teams. “I don’t think the BCCI cares about the media or understands their needs,” said Neeru Bhatia.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2015.
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