News: Sight-screen causes agitation among players

The sight-screen saga at the PCA stadium in Mohali during the fourth ODI between India and Australia left both the teams’ captains infuriated at the end of the match.

It was during the 21st over of the India innings that Yuvraj Singh objected strongly to the constant movement behind the sightscreen that was causing distraction to the batsmen. MS Dhoni who was batting on the other side of the crease also objected and was supported by Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting. The players were seen clearing the crowd from behind the screen to avoid distractions in the match.

And after the match both the captains voiced their agitation regarding the same. "It is frustrating when somebody is getting disturbed because somebody is moving now and then behind the sightscreen. It is not expected at a level like this. Basically, it was Yuvraj who was getting really frustrated because batsmen at this level need to be concentrated and focused at all times. You don't want to be distracted by someone walking around the sightscreen," said Dhoni.

While Dhoni’s counterpart, Ponting also echoed the concern. “It is frustrating. There were about 40 policemen in that area but more often than not they were the ones who were moving and they were the ones supposed to be keeping all the people from doing it. It got to one stage where I believe they should have actually cleared that whole area. It was like every ball there was something happening.”