CHENNAI: Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna as reserves? Is this an April Fools’ Day joke? In a surprising but not entirely unexpected decision, India Davis Cup skipper Mahesh Bhupathi bowled a googly by picking Ramkumar Ramanathan, Yuki Bhambri, Prajnesh Gunneswaran and N Sriram Balaji as the main four. The Asia/Oceania Zone Group I second round tie against Uzbekistan, to be held from April 7 to 9 in Bengaluru, suddenly assumes great significance.
The September 2012 clash against New Zealand — India won 5-0 — was the last time neither Paes nor Bopanna were part of the main line-up. When the provisional squad was announced three weeks ago, Bhupathi had hinted to this newspaper that he could take such a route. “In theory, I could leave both doubles guys out... Since many teams are comprised of just singles exponents,” Bhupathi had said then.]
Having stuck to his guns, the 12-time Grand Slam winner maintains that he has picked the team based on form. The singles players have been doing well at Challengers and Futures, while the doubles veterans have struggled — Bopanna won the Chennai Open but Paes hasn’t won an ATP title in two years.
“If you don’t reward performances, how will players stay motivated? Before I was hired, I told everyone that I’d have a pool of six which will be rotated.
Also, specialist doubles is a dying art. The guys who’ve been winning the last few doubles Majors are primarily singles players! Someone like Sriram, who is good in both, can be the pivot for us,” the 42-year-old told Express from Dubai on Tuesday.
What does this mean for 43-year-old Paes and 37-year-old Bopanna? Former captain Jaidip Mukerjea feels it’s a good call. “Honestly, I thought Rohan would play because doubles is an important rubber. But a younger team means they’re looking ahead.
It’s important to have replacements if the singles players get injured; an area where neither Rohan nor Leander can help. I’m happy with the decision,” Mukerjea opined.
However, a source in the know suggests that Bhupathi will draft one or both of the ageing duo. “I’m certain Mahesh is going to make a change.
The youngsters can barely hold their own in singles, and he wants to add doubles to the platter? Not if we want to win the doubles rubber.” It’s important to note that Bhupathi can make a change before the draw is held on April 6. Maybe one of the doubles stalwarts will impress him by then. It’s within the realm of possibility.
rohan@newindianexpress.com