Former India batsman Aakash Chopra does not agree with Rajasthan Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Dixit's view that the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team is "graceless".
"They are a competitive side. You can't call them ugly. I think they are pretty okay," remarked Chopra, who, after his long association with Delhi, turned out for Rajasthan in the last domestic season.
Chopra was in the field when Rajasthan beat Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals last season, but does not recall any ugly incident during that time in particular.
"Tempers do flare up, but that's common. Mumbai has been a great side in the circuit and they, of course, are not used to losing. But one can't call them sore losers," stated Chopra.
"Some cricketers react more than others, but you can't tar the entire squad with the same brush," Chopra said.
By all accounts, nothing untoward happened when Rajasthan prevailed due to their 337-run first innings lead.
Dixit's tweets came in the wake of Sachin Tendulkar's remarks about the pitch at Sawai Man Singh stadium following their seven-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing fourth edition of the Indian Premier League.
- Mumbai Indians hit back at Royals
After Mumbai Indians lost to Royals last week, Tendulkar termed the pitch as "difficult" and "two-paced".
That did not go down well with Royals skipper Shane Warne, who called it "unfortunate" and saw it as "their (Mumbai Indians) inability to accept defeat".
Former India cricketer and Mumbai stalwart Sanjay Manjrekar said Dixit must have mistaken Mumbai for another side.
"I am sure Sanjay Dixit has mistaken Mumbai for another side when he says 'it's known as the most graceless side' on the Ranji circuit."
