Adding fuel to the fire of the present speculations of VVS Laxman's sudden resignation from the team after four months of hard work and being inducted into the main team to play the tests against New Zealand in a few days, Dhoni said that he was not invited to the retired test star cricketer's late night party which he had arranged for all the senior players of the team.
VVS Laxman had thrown a bash after he retired from his international career for senior members as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan were spotted at his house in the outskirts of Hyderabad at Manikonda, but Dhoni, who is usually the one who makes selections, was given a miss.
In a terse response to the media's questions before the match if he was invited to the party he merely replied "No". He has also neglected that Laxman had failed to get through to him on the issue of his retirement plans for the series ahead.
Dhoni said, "You think it's a controversy but people who know me always complained that I'm someone who is quite difficult to get hold of. That was one of the reasons why Laxman bhai could not get hold of me". He added that it was nothing new. He said he tried to improve but obviously there was not much of an improvement.
He had parried the question regarding the retirement of the test star saying, "You need to ask Laxman about it," after the media asked if he knew the reason behind the sudden retirement.
Laxman had made himself fit for the upcoming series against New Zealand while training himself at the NCA and had also played two local matches. He was also selected for the matches but had mysteriously chosen to retire from International cricket. This sudden decision definitely raises a few eyebrows about the amicability between Dhoni, who was the center of several such controversial arguments previously and Laxman.
There are also rumors that Laxman had been issued an ultimatum of two matches by the selectors. This could have made him furious especially with his elegance in the middle-order and his form. He is well known for his match winning second innings figures of 281 against Australia in Kolkata. It could possibly be one of the major reasons, considering there is more than a single reason behind the shocking decision, for his retirement.
Laxmans move came only a little after Dravid had bid the team goodbye in March after India's abysmal performance of 0-8 against England and Australia.
Dhoni had opined that the team would definitely feel the lack of experienced player but he also said that this could be a opening for youngsters who are enthusiastic to create history in their careers.
"Definitely these are our two great players and we will miss them on the field. But that's how it is," Dhoni said before the series began. "It's an opportunity for the youngsters to take up the responsibility in the longer format. We are hoping that the youngsters would grab the opportunity and do well," he added.
The duo also were the slip cordon who prevented several runs and usually provided break to the team with their exceptional fielding. Now with the slip cordon having a gaping hole, the team is unsure of who would fit the positions.
Dhoni hopes that Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli would help manage the slip positions though he also said that the experience of the players in the slips would have been a great asset in the long format of the games, expressing the confidence of the cool captain that he is known to be.
(AW- Anil)
