Acknowledging criticism from back home that the team wasn't training enough despite losing three Tests, India's players decided to skip their trip to the nearby Barossa Valley vineyards yesterday. However, they visited an RM Williams showroom - a big brand in Australia that specialises in leather boots.


Rumour had it that Dhoni & wife Sakshi visited the vineyard. Pic/AFP

Banned captain MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, bowling coach Eric Simons, head coach Duncan Fletcher among others were spotted at the shopping Arcade. "They wanted to go. They were all set to leave. But, later they thought that it could cause bad publicity for the team's image - like the go-karting incident in Perth. Since the report (of them going to vineyards) was out, they were worried about media reaching there," a team source pointed out.

At times, it's like a game of hide-and-seek. In Perth too, the players tried to avoid media presence but were surprised to find television channels reached the circuit before them. Following the go-karting incident, Sunil Gavaskar wondered whether the team was on a holiday.

Media Manager GS Walia said the vineyards owner's invitation was not accepted. "We get invitations from lots of people while on tour. The players felt it's better to stay back in Adelaide," he said. Walia also rubbished reports that Dhoni and wife Sakshi visited the vineyard yesterday morning.