Enraged Anushka hits back at Engineer’s claim

New Delhi, October 31

“Ill-intended lies”, said an outraged Anushka Sharma, while a baffled selection panel member termed it “malicious” after former wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer claimed that the actor wife of India captain Virat Kohli sat with the selectors and was served tea by one of them during the World Cup this year.

Speaking to a newspaper, the 82-year-old Engineer, who played 46 Tests for India, ridiculed the credentials of India’s five-member selection panel, led by MSK Prasad and comprising Sarandeep Singh, Jatin Paranjpe, Gagan Khoda and Devang Gandhi. Engineer claimed that he saw one of these five men serve tea to Anushka during the World Cup in England, though he didn’t name anyone.

A member of the selection panel angrily refuted the claim and Anushka issued a lengthy statement, asserting that she would not allow her name to be dragged in controversies relating to Indian cricket anymore.

“During the World Cup, none of the selectors were sitting in the box where the Indian captain’s wife sat and this is an absolutely rubbish, malicious and defamatory assertion,” the selection committee member said on the condition of anonymity.

Anushka’s statement bared her anger. “...the latest version of these ill-intended lies is that I was being served tea by selectors at matches during the World Cup! I came to one game during the World Cup and sat in the family box and not the selectors’ box as reported but when has the truth mattered when it’s about convenience!” she said.

“If you want to comment on the selection committee and their qualifications please do so as it’s your opinion but don’t drag my name into it to substantiate your claim or sensationalise your opinion. I refuse to allow anyone from using my name in such conversations,” she retorted to Engineer’s claims. — PTI