BCCI gags Dhoni over questions on IPL scandal

If there was anyone who could have cleared the air surrounding the biggest controversy in IndianA cricket in over a decade is M S Dhoni himself. Not only does he head the Indian Cricket team but also captains the beleaguered Chennai Super Kings side, whose "enthusiastic Honorary member " is now in the dock for alleged betting in the Indian Premier League. There were four occasions when Dhoni was quizzed over the controversy:

• What do you have to say over the recent spot fixing controversy in the IPL?
• You are the captain of the Indian cricket team. This is Indian cricket's biggest crisis since 2000 and yet we haven't heard from you. Why is there no voice from your side? A Why are you silent over this scandal?
• Can you guarantee to the citizens of India that there won't be any spot fixingA in the Champions Trophy?

And though all the above questions were bowled to Dhoni, it was played and defended by a BCCI official while Dhoni just sat and smiled and didn't utter a word over it. This was on expected lines as captain cool avoided the media before and after the final of the Indian Premier League. He did not attend the scheduled press conferences which is usually the norm during the tournament. Dhoni ended up answering questions only on the Champions Trophy and predictably drubbed cliched answers over Indian's team preparedness for the tournament.