ICC T20 World Cup 2016: MS Dhoni's sarcastic jibe leaves reporters stumped

MS Dhoni lambasting a journalist at the press conference after the Bangladesh match, and he directed a pointed jibe at journalists during Team India’s training session on the eve of the Australia match in Mohali as well. He had a very one-sided exchange with puzzled photographers and reporters who were present at the Mohali ground on Saturday, reports Mid-Day.

A reporter had raised the question of negative net run rate on Wednesday, much to the wrath of Dhoni, who had said, "If you are sitting outside and analysing, then you should not ask these questions."

The media contingent at the PCA stadium were subject to the continuation of that anger on Saturday. After the India team had finished a game of football during the final training session before the virtual quarter-final against Australia, Dhoni walked up to the reporters and asked them, “Cricket kheloge?” (Would you like to play cricket?)

The reporters did not know how to respond to this and no answer was forthcoming. Then Dhoni fired, “Agar tum khel sakte, toh tum yahan hote aur hum wahan.” (If you could play cricket, you would be on the field while we would be where you are).

Dhoni then walked back to rejoin the rest of his team as his red-faced audience looked this way and that.

Rahane’s opportunity, Dhoni’s request to Chacha

There was one other amusing incident from the day before India’s important clash with Australia. Pakistan cricket team superfan Bashir Ahmed, also known as Pakistani chacha, turned up at the PCA Stadium to show his support for the Indian team. But his support was too vocal for MS Dhoni, who asked him to decrease the volume a little.

With Pakistan having been eliminated, India are the last surviving Asian team at the World T20. Bashir Ahmed turned up in the gallery above the Indian dressing room, wearing a shirt with a collage of pictures of Dhoni and a written message saying ‘Dhoni Miss you’. He waved a tri-colour borrowed from Indian fans, and loudly chanted ‘India jeetega’ and ‘Love you Dhoni’.

Dhoni walked out to acknowledge the support and asked Chacha to not shout so loudly.

One more thing to be noted from the training session was that Ajinkya Rahane had a prolonged batting practice session, ahead of Yuvraj Singh, who is reported to have some trouble with his shoulder. Rahane has not had any part to play in the WT20 yet; whether he will get his first chance in this crucial game remains a matter of speculation.