New Delhi: BCCI Joint Secretary Anurag Thakur today supported Sachin Tendulkar's claim that the Australian had made a "shocking" suggestion to him to take over India's captaincy from Rahul Dravid months before the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
Despite denial by Chappell, Thakur told PTI that Tendulkar would not indulge in cheap publicity to sell his autobiography to be released today.
According to Thakur, Chappell wanted to Tendulkar to take over the captaincy from Dravid but the master batsman rejected the suggestion and and in turn suggested the name of Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the then BCCI president Sharad Pawar.
"Many will support Sachin as I clearly remember the problems in the Indian team were not due to problems among the players. It was because of the coach," Thakur said.
Asked if he was endorsing what Tendulkar had said is true, Thakur said: "I think Sachin (Tendulkar) is not a person who will just write a thing for the sake of cheap publicity. He has played for India for two decades, known for his commitment for the game, known for his contribution to Indian cricket.
"The glorious years were more than enough to sell a book, written on Sachin but stating some facts I think it was important. At least it has come to the public domain.
