Indian team's time-off cancelled after tuesday's loss to kiwis, say sources

Indian team's time-off cancelled after tuesday's loss to kiwis, say sources

India's cricket bosses have slapped a travel ban on what was to be a three-day holiday for MS Dhoni's humiliated side.

Virender Sehwag walks back after being dismissed by Kyle Mills during India's 200-run loss to New Zealand in Dambulla on Tuesday. PIC/AFP

It is learnt that the cricket bosses have reacted sharply to India's lame surrender in the first ODI of the tri-series against New Zealand when they were dismissed for 88 and cancelled the 'comfort trip' on this long tour of the Emerald Isle.

Away from it all
Yesterday, instead of going for the trip, the players were huddle in groups at their lakeside hotel and shied away from any media attention in the aftermath of what was their most embarrassing ODI performance of the year.

It is unclear gave the orders, but sources at the team hotel indicate that there were some harsh words spoken and a full report has been sought from the team management explaining the debacle.

Management have been tight-lipped about the cancellation of the 'comfort trip' while players who were not involved in Tuesday's game were swimming in the hotel pool yesterday morning.

It also appears that skipper Dhoni's comments have made things worse as the board bosses deemed them inappropriate.

Dhoni's "I'm disappointed" comment seems to have come across as a lame excuse to find a reason for the loss.
While Dhoni is certain to be disappointed at the loss, the comment hides many flaws regarding the make-up of the Indian squad.

One is the old harbinger of India's bowlers finding line and length.

Complaint about the pitch being "spongy" also makes one wonder just how the Black Caps managed to put such a sizeable total together.

Dhoni is known to have been in discussion with coach Gary Kirsten and there are now concerns whether India have misread the way the triangular tournament is being conducted.

What also surprised many was the change in Suresh Raina's batting effort.

He looked very confident at the P Sara Oval on the last afternoon of the third Test, sealing the win with
a six.

But on Tuesday, Raina didn't seem to handle the quicker bowling. Daryl Tuffey's ability to move the ball off the pitch caught the Indians, who have become used to the flat Test surfaces prepared, by surprise.