Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Aug 22 (IANS) Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not invited to a party which former test player V.V.S. Laxman hosted here for some senior members of the team at his residence here.

At a news conference ahead of the first cricket Test against New Zealand starting here Thursday, Dhoni replied in the negative when asked whether he received an invitation from Laxman for a party he hosted Tuesday night.

Laxman, who was selected for the series against New Zealand, Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket in controversial circumstances amid reports that some senior members of the team and former players had opposed his selection.

The wristy batsman said while he wanted to play the series against England and Australia, he decided to retire to give an opportunity to a youngster.

Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Virat Kohli attended the house warming ceremony which Laxman hosted at his residence in Manikonda.

The Hyderabadi reportedly picked up his guests from the star hotel where the team is staying and later dropped them back.

Dhoni refused to comment on Laxman’s retirement. “You ask this to Laxman,” said Dhoni when a reporter asked him why Laxman chose to retire.

On the day when Laxman announced his retirement, he chatted with some team members but not with Dhoni. “You know it is not easy to reach Dhoni,” Laxman had commented at the press conference.

Dhoni sought to dismiss this.

“You think it’s a controversy but people who know me always complain that I’m someone who is quite difficult to get hold of,” Dhoni said.