Deccan Chargers to probe Laxman-Afridi spat

	The comments made by Shahid Afridi and VVS Laxman have forced the Deccan Chargers to launch an inquiry © Getty Images

The Deccan Chargers will launch an inquiry into the verbal spat between the captain VVS Laxman and Shahid Afridi regarding the team's dismal performance during the first season of the Indian Premier League.

"Following remarks which have appeared in the news media this week attributed to Shahid Afridi and the response to those remarks attributed to VVS Laxman, we will hold a full inquiry to establish the facts," Deccan Chargers chief executive Tim Wright said in a media release. "In the interest of fairness and of thoroughness both players have been advised of this process and have been invited to contribute to the inquiry.

"When we have established the facts we will take whatever action we consider necessary and appropriate in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Premier League contracts between the players and Deccan Chargers."

Afridi had said that Adam Gilchrist would have been a better choice to lead the side than Laxman. "At times Laxman lost the plot on the field," Afridi had told Geo News. "Twenty20 cricket is not his forte. Adam is more comfortable in this type of cricket. He played some really good innings and his input was very good at times on the field. If they do appoint Adam as captain I think he would be a better choice than Laxman."

Laxman responded by saying that Afridi had no team ethics. "Speaking negatively about the team in public, let alone the captain, is just not on," Laxman had told cricketnext.com. "Being an experienced cricketer, he should not be questioning the way the team functions. I am really shocked to say the least. He should know that it was a collective failure because he was part of the team. It is unfortunate that he chose to blame the captain for it."

Both Laxman and Afridi performed poorly during the IPL. Afridi was one of the most high-profile failures, scoring only 81 runs in ten innings. Laxman sustained an injury after six games, in which he scored 155 runs, and Gilchrist took over as captain. The Deccan Chargers won only two out of 14 games in the league.