Duncan Fletcher is still the boss - MS Dhoni denies rumours of any imminent sacking

MS Dhoni has said that Duncan Fletcher will be the head coach when India go into World Cup next year

Amidst reports of his imminent departure, Duncan Fletcher found firm support from Indian captain MS Dhoni.

Speaking at a press conference today before the start of the ODI series tomorrow, Dhoni said that Fletcher remains ‘the boss’ and will be the head coach for India till next year’s World Cup. He also showed sympathy for Trevor Penney and Joe Dawes, who were given ‘a break’ in the middle of the tour.

"Definitely he will lead us into the World Cup," Dhoni said. "Also he is still the boss. We have Ravi who will look into everything, but Duncan Fletcher is the boss. It's not as if his powers or his position have been curtailed. I don't know what you feel from outside, but still operations remain the same. We have a few other support staff who come into the dressing room, but overall the operation remains the same."

"Some things just [happen] this way. It's a bit tough on Trevor [fielding coach] and Joey [bowling coach], I know. Especially when fielders drop catches and the fielding coach has to miss the series.

"But let's hope for the best. We are welcoming the new guys because that is very important. They will be part of the dressing-room family as of now. We will have to give them some time to adjust to how we operate, and see what kind of input they bring to the table."

Dhoni also felt Ravi Shastri’s appointment as director will be good for the side. "He is here to oversee the operations. From the outside, what he feels and everything. It's good to have him. The reason being he is a very proud India cricketer, and at the same time very positive. He believes a lot in fighting and having the right instincts, going over and giving his 100%. It is obviously good to have him. He also speaks the same language, and can interact a lot with the players. Same is the case with other people, so it is good to have them."

India set to play England in the first ODI at Bristol on August 25th.