da bet vitoria： Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan on Tuesday reacted sharply to anews magazine article that some Indian cricketers had used steroidsand cortisones to enhance their performance
04-Jul-2001Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan on Tuesday reacted sharply to anews magazine article that some Indian cricketers had used steroidsand cortisones to enhance their performance.”I can state categorically these players do not take drugs of anyperformance-enhancing type,” said Chauhan. “They may take boosts likeenergiser and other things but these were taken even in my time,” saidChauhan who represented India in 40 Tests from 1969 to 1981.”The team has been upset by the allegations which we deny completely,”he told a television network.Chauhan, who intends to issue a detailed statement on Wednesday, saidthe allegations were made by “somebody in some publication” and don’treflect a widespread charge against the members of the Indian team.The cover story of the latest issue of ‘Outlook’ alleged that someplayers, including Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar haveresorted to drug-taking in the past.The Indian team deliberated on the issue on Tuesday morning beforeentrusting to Chauhan the job of clearing the position.”We came to know about it last night,” said Chauhan. “Cricketers whohave done so well and enjoy a clean reputation, men like Dravid, werevery upset,” Chauhan said.Dravid himself refused to be drawn into the controversy, saying he hadcome to know bits and pieces of the article and added it was best forthe manager to clear the air.Reacting to the allegation, Agarkar expressed surprise and added “Meon drugs, no way!”Earlier, former Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad had denied the story andsaid he would take legal action against the magazine.”The interview I gave to the magazine was twisted and I have beenquoted out of context to justify the story,” Gaekwad said from Barodaon the phone.Meanwhile, ‘Outlook’ issued a statement from New Delhi expressingdismay over Gaekwad’s reaction that the magazine had falselyinterpreted his interview. “We stand by the interview,” the statementsaid.