Sourav Ganguly has revealed he was asked to step down as India captain on the eve of the Test against Zimbabwe. The claims have prompted speculation in the Indian media of a split between Ganguly and new coach Greg Chappell.
"It's true, I was asked to step down but that's all I have to say at this stage," Ganguly said after scoring a century in Bulawayo.
When asked who had requested his resignation, Ganguly said: "Ask the coach. He will give you the answer."
Chappell then said: "Sourav and I discussed the balance of the team and there were a number of issues but that's all I want to say at this stage."
When asked directly whether Chappell had sought his departure as captain, Ganguly replied: "You know what has been happening in Indian cricket.
"Other people are making the decisions; my silence says everything so I'll stick to it."
Ganguly, whose 19 Test victories as captain are an Indian record, has suffered from poor batting form in the last two seasons.
He was replaced as captain by Rahul Dravid while serving an ICC ban for time-wasting but returned to the helm for this series.
The Calcutta Telegraph reported that Chappell told Ganguly his form did not merit selection in the team and that in-form Mohammad Kaif had to be played at his expense.
It went on to claim that Dravid had refused to take on the captaincy if Ganguly was dropped for the match.
Ganguly's century against a weakened Zimbabwe side did little to silence the critics.
One writer described the innings as "mind-numbingly slow".
The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday refused to elaborate further.
"Right now the focus is on winning the series and we do not wish to make any comment" said vice president Rajiv Shukla.
"These are very trivial issues which are being blown out of proportion by the media."
MMIX
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