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Mumbai: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni refused to take questions on the spot-fixing issue,at a press conference prior to the team’s departure for the 2013 ChampionsTrophy.

Gurunath Meiyappan
The press was asked by the media manager to ask questions pertaining to the2013 Champions Trophy only. When a couple of reporters defied the diktat, andasked him for his views on the issue, all that Dhoni managed was a smile.
When asked if he had any links with Vindoo Dara Singh, he remained mum, as the media manager came to his rescue, asking for the mike to be passed on for the next question.

Dhoni captains the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL, had skipped the press conferences, before and after the IPL final as well. CSK co-owner Gurunath Meiyappan has been arrested for allegedly betting on IPL matches with the help of Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh.

While taking questions on the composition of the Champions Trophy squad, Dhoni wasn’t too concerned about having too many spinners on the squad, while admitting that the weather would tilt the scales in favour of the faster bowlers.

“It is the last chance for us given that this is the last edition of the Champions Trophy. We didn’t have a good outing, during the Test series, but we did decently during the ODIs. We lost a lot of tosses, and our spinners had to bowl with wet balls”, said the Indian skipper when he reminded of India’s last trip to England in 2011.

Playing in English conditions is always a challenge but Dhoni is also wary of the new rules which came into effect last November.

“It will be first time that we play under the new rules overseas and it is going to be a challenge,” said Dhoni, who has earlier expressed his unhappiness at the changes made in the 50-over format.

As per the new rules, one new ball will be used at each end, bowlers will be allowed two bouncers an over, there will be no bowling Power Play, the batting Power Play will have to be completed before the 40th over, and no more than four fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle at any stage in the innings.

India play two practice matches before their tournament opener against South Africa June 6. Dhoni feels his side will get enough time to adjust to the conditions.

Courtesy: YAHOO CRICKET

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