MS Dhoni continues to keep mum

Asked if there are any distraction going into the Champions Trophy in the wake of recent controversies surrounding Indian cricket and the captain himself, Dhoni smartly dodged the query. ‘I think these are all the stuff that we’re not even thinking about or does not even cross our minds. What we are really looking forward to is the challenge. This is the first time we’ll be playing under the new set of rules outside India, and we need to adapt quickly and see how our boys are reacting... So that’s what we are looking forward to,’ Dhoni said. 

Dhoni has come under sharp attack from some former cricketers for his alleged conflict of interest for having stakes in Rhiti Sports, which handles him and three of his Indian teammates. Dhoni found himself in a controversy when it came to light that he had 15 per cent stake in Rhiti Sports, which also manages Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha, besides the Indian captain. Prior to the team’s departure for England, Dhoni was asked questions about the spot-fixing scandal, but he answered none of them in a press conference in Mumbai. 

On arrival also, Dhoni kept mum saying ‘if I have not answered Indian journalists, there is no reason why I should answer you.’ He said he will answer such questions when the time was right. Reminded about his statement that Champions Trophy is one tournament that he would like to win, he said, ‘None of the trophy goes to my cabinet. What you need to realize is it’s for Team India.’