IPL 6: MS Dhoni skips pre-final press conference, coach Fleming says players distressed

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni decided to skip the pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Indian Premier League 2013 final versus Mumbai Indians. Dhoni was expected to address the media on Saturday but chose to give it a miss.

Instead, coach Stephen Fleming read out a statement, after apologising on behalf of Dhoni.

"Firstly, apologies from the captain. With the rain, we decided to keep the team back at the hotel for the preparation for tomorrow's match," he said.

Facing calls for suspension from the IPL following the arrest of its 'team principal' on charges of betting, Chennai team sought to distance itself from the scandal saying their players and support staff were not involved in betting or spot-fixing.

Fleming, the CSK coach said at the press conference: "The players and support staff are distressed about the news that the CSK franchise is facing questions about its officials' alleged involvement in gambling in the IPL."

Fleming also said: "The team was proud of having played in the IPL for the past six seasons and would do its best to put aside the controversy and focus on the final tomorrow (Sunday)."

The growing scale of the IPL spot-fixing scam had cast a shadow on tomorrow's final between CSK and Mumbai Indians. But it was later confirmed that the summit clash would go ahead as per schedule and the embattled CSK would also continue to be a part of the league despite the arrest of its top official on allegations of betting.

Earlier in the day, as calls for his resignation as president of BCCI grew louder in the wake of the arrest of his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, Mr. N Srinivasan flatly refused to quit. Speaking exclusively to NDTV upon his arrival in Mumbai, he claimed 'vested interests' were against him.

Mr Srinivasan insisted that he has done no wrong and that he "cannot be be bulldozed into resigning". He termed the clamour for his resignation an "orchestrated pressure". He also claimed "a lot of vested interests do not want me in the BCCI".

He said he had no knowledge about Mr Meiyappan's betting activities and that he hardly watches T20 games.

"You can be sure BCCI will act with same alacrity as with Sreesanth... same rules apply. Steps will be taken objectively, fairly," he replied when asked how the BCCI would deal with his son-in-law.

According to reports, even Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma gave the press conference a miss after the series of allegations that have shook the whole cricket fraternity.