Dhoni denies selection rift

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not happy with information being leaked about squad selection

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has denied he had a row with selectors because he was not given the team he wanted for the next two one-day matches against England.

Reports in the Indian media claim Dhoni threatened to resign because medium-pacer Rudra Pratap Singh was dropped in favour of Irfan Pathan.

The selection committee, headed by Krishnamachari Srikkanth, had included Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan in the team for the next two one-dayers against England and dropped Murali Vijay and RP Singh.

"I don't know where the report came from," Dhoni said, adding there was no rift with the selectors "on any issue".

"It cannot be a report because what happens inside a meeting where the selectors, the captain and the coaches are gathered... when it comes out it is disgusting and disrespectful.

"Things like this should not be happening.

"I'm not saying something happened at the meeting, but over the years we have seen things being leaked from meetings and things getting out.

"There will be debates over the composition of the team and that information should not be put out in the media.

"If it is meant to come out, then I can say we might as well have the whole meeting telecast live on television.

"Nobody knows what was discussed except the eight guys in the meeting and only they know whether it's the truth or not."

Irfan Pathan has been chosen ahead of RP Singh for the next two ODIs © Getty Images

Dhoni said he had not discussed the matter with the Board of Control for Cricket in India as he felt it was too trivial.

"I didn't think it was important. There is a lot that goes around," he added.

"We have an important match coming up and we chose instead to focus on that match."

Asked if he agreed with the decision to drop RP Singh for Irfan, Dhoni said: "This is a selection thing and personally I don't discuss anything outside.

"If anything does come out, I would prefer it to come through either the BCCI, the chief selector or the group of selectors."

Dhoni agreed the controversy was a distraction for the team, but he said the players had great faith in each other.

"To some extent it does distract us. The good part is that we trust each other - every player in the team trusts each other," Dhoni said.

"There might be a scenario where all of a sudden we might want to get in touch with RP Singh and Irfan.

"It should not be a case where RP feels he is not wanted and left out. I will stand and defend both these players.

"I don't think it is the appropriate thing to happen at a point like this.

"We do not have players in this team with outstanding talent which can win every game but as a team we are outstanding.

"So for us the mantra is being a team and these things will not break the trust we have in each other."