BANGALORE, Nov 22: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has reportedly offered to resign from the high-profile post following paceman R.P. Singh’s exclusion from the One-day International squad although the BCCI strongly denied the development.

Dhoni played down the rift between him and the selectors. Not denying the reports, however, Dhoni added that it will be good for Indian cricket if the identity of the person who leaked the report comes out in the open.

According to TV reports, Dhoni had a disagreement with the selectors during the meeting on Thursday to pick the team for the fourth and fifth ODIs of the ongoing home series against England.

Dhoni was not happy that the selectors decided to axe left-arm pace bowler R.P. Singh and include Irfan Pathan in his place and offered to resign, the TV reports claimed, quoting an unnamed source close to one of the selectors.

The BBCI, however, was quick to rubbish the reports. “I can’t respond to something that is being floated around by somebody,” BCCI Secretary N. Srinivisan said.

The Indian players are currently in Bangalore to play the fourth ODI and the team management could not be immediately reached for their comments. Dhoni’s customary pre-match press conference was scheduled to be held later in the afternoon.

The reports said BCCI President Shashank Manohar was forced to interfere and sort out the issue. The newly formed selection committee, headed by former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, had met on Thursday for the team selection when the differences apparently cropped up.

“It’s a bit of a surprise,” a source in the Indian team revealed. “He [R.P. Singh] needs to play more matches. He is absolutely fit. He was getting better despite not playing much in the last few matches,” added the source.

Dhoni has been a strong supporter of R.P. Singh as the pacer has repaid his captains faith be it the Twenty20 World Championship or even the one-dayers. The duo share camaraderie and both have played cricket together from the junior level. Dhoni has always backed R.P. Singh and thrown the ball at him in pressure situations and the bowler has always delivered.

Last year, Rahul Dravid too had relinquished the Indian captaincy. Lack of say in selection matters was widely touted as the reason behind Dravid’s abrupt decision.—Agencies