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BULAWAYO,Zimbabwe, Sept 17 (AFP) Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly refused to be dragged into the controversy over the power struggle at the heart of the Indian team.

After India had wrapped up an innings-and-90-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test at the Queen's Sports Club on Friday, Ganguly found himself fending off inquiries over who exactly had asked him to step down as captain.

India’s captain Sourav Ganguly poses for a photographer after his team won the Test in Bulawayo at Queens Sports club 16 September 2005. India won the Test by one innings and 90 runs. (AFP)

"Only time will tell. It's not right for me to make a statement now," said Ganguly as speculation increased over a reported rift between Ganguly and coach Greg Chappell. Ganguly, who scored a century in India's innings here, preferred to concentrate his attention on the match-winners in his side and singled out pace bowler Irfan Pathan who collected nine wickets in the match.

"We bowled well in the second innings and it's a good sign that Irfan Pathan got a few wickets with the new ball while they were playing our spinners well," said Ganguly. He also praised V.V.S. Laxman, who hit 140, Rahul Dravid who enjoyed a knock of 77 as well as spinner Harbhajan Singh who has become the fastest Indian player to take 200 Test wickets.

Pathan was named man of the match and said he has been working hard to improve his action. "The ball was swinging and I got a few wickets," said Pathan. "I wasn't bowling badly, a bit short but I realised that and changed the length and got the wickets. I am working hard and will definitely improve."

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