Chappell denies Tendulkar's captaincy claims

Melbourne, Nov 4 (IANS) Former Indian cricket coach Greg Chappell Tuesday denied Sachin Tendulkar's claim that the Australian had asked the Indian legend to replace then skipper Rahul Dravid prior to the 2007 World Cup.

Chappell had initially refused to respond to Tendulkar's claims but then released a statement through Cricket Australia (CA), where he is working as a national talent manager.

"Whilst I don't propose to get into a war of words, I can state quite clearly that during my time as Indian coach I never contemplated Sachin replacing Dravid as captain. I was therefore very surprised to read the claims made in (Tendulkar's) book," said Chappell, who coached India in 2005-07.

"During those years, I only ever visited Sachin's home once and that was with our physio and assistant coach during his rehabilitation from injury, at least 12 months earlier than what was reported in the book. We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon together but the subject of captaincy was never raised."

Tendulkar has written in his autobiography "Playing It My Way", due for release Nov 6, that Chappell told him that together they "could control Indian cricket for years".

"Just months before the World Cup, Chappell had come to see me at home and, to my dismay, suggested that I should take over the captaincy from Dravid," published reports have quoted Tendulkar as saying in his book. 

"I was surprised to hear the coach not showing the slightest amount of respect for the captain, with cricket's biggest tournament just months away," said Tendulkar, who retired last year.