Indian Test cricket dressing room culture is doubtless different to that which Australians and English indulge, nonetheless, the local side was a little surprised when it dropped by with a presentation for Ravi Ashwin after the Brisbane Test only to find the rooms vacant.

Perhaps Ashwin’s career was being celebrated elsewhere. Perhaps not.

Similarly, there’d been raised eyebrows among the Indian support staff when no player was interested in an offer by one to underwrite team celebrations following a good win in Perth. Bharat Sundaresan’s report in The Australian sparked quite a bit of controversy when it ran toward the end of India’s unhappy series, but his account of a divided dressing room was clearly on the money. That night after the win, coach Gautam Gambhir had a quiet meal with his family and a handful of players went to a high-end Japanese restaurant. Around this time Ashwin informed the recently arrived Rohit Sharma that – after one match – he was going home at the first opportunity.

Ravi Jadeja’s account of Ashwin’s last day landed odd, but it is surprising how many secrets are kept from teammates inside a dressing room:

“I got to know about the retirement at the last minute, five minutes before the press conference. It was shocking. We spent the whole day together, and he didn’t even give me a hint. I got to know at the last minute. We all know how Ashwin’s minds works.”

It would be negligent of Indian cricket not to act after the summer in Australia and the loss to New Zealand. It is the nature of such events, but the BCCI’s 10-point plan, apparently designed to “Promote discipline, unity and a positive environment” has stirred the players.

Selector Ajit Agarkar and Rohit – who will lead the side in the Champions Trophy – were caught discussing it in front of a “hot” mike before a press conference on Friday. The pair appear to indicate that the players are upset by the restrictions on family movement and the captain is about to take up the issue with the BCCI secretary.

Just over a decade ago, the tables were reversed. It was Australia falling apart on a tour of India and things came to a boil on March 11, 2013.