Rift in Indian camp over team selection

WORLD CUP favourites India are in danger of self-destructing following revelations skipper MS Dhoni is at loggerheads with chairman of selectors and former Test batsman Kris Srikkanth. 

 In a stand-off that threatens to destabilise the tournament powerhouse, an Indian newspaper claims a "stubborn" Dhoni has angered BCCI bosses after a heated verbal altercation with Srikkanth over the composition of the side for its crucial final pool game against West Indies on Sunday.

According to the report, Srikkanth and a fellow selector informed Dhoni the panel wanted spinner Piyush Chawla axed in favour of Ravichandran Ashwin, saying "Chawla has got enough chances".

But the skipper has allegedly refused to budge and is backing Chawla, prompting an angry Srikkanth to confront team management over the panel's desire to play Ashwin.

The selection boss took his grievances to coach Gary Kirsten, but under Indian selection policy Dhoni, as skipper, has the power to overrule the panel.

The rift between Dhoni and the selection committee is a saga India can ill afford as the team feels the crushing weight of expectation to deliver the nation's first World Cup victory since 1983.

India is struggling to impress on home soil, with Dhoni's side finishing in a tie with England after failing to defend a mammoth 338, before crashing last week against South Africa, which blasted 7-300 to secure a three-wicket victory.