Asked whether the controversy would affect the players ahead of the match, Dhoni said, "Not really. I don't think it was as important. Plenty of things are out there.”

"We have an important match coming up. We are all focussed on that. It's raining since morning so we are a bit worried about the practice session," he said.

Dhoni was angry with the with way media blew up the issue and said selection matters should not come out in the open.

"It's a selection thing. Personally, I don't discuss anything outside. Whatever happens stays in the meeting, stays inside. Whatever comes out of the meeting I would prefer it to come out from either BCCI or the chief selector or the group of selectors," the India captain said.

According to media reports, Dhoni had a disagreement with the selectors during the meeting in Kanpur on Thursday to pick the team for the fourth and fifth matches of the ongoing series.

Dhoni was unhappy that the selectors decided to drop R P Singh and include Irfan Pathan in his place and offered to resign, the reports claimed.

The BCCI, however, came out with a vague response which neither confirmed nor denied the development.

"I can't respond to something that is being floated around by somebody," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said.

The reports said BCCI President Shashank Manohar was forced to interfere and sort out the issue.

Dhoni said such leaks were detrimental for the game in the country and told the media that it would be better if the identity of the person who leaked the report could be known.

... contd.