Misra backs Mahesh Bhupathi as captain

Chennai: Mahesh Bhupathi has already made it clear that his professional tennis career is over. The veteran of 35 Davis Cup ties and 12 Grand Slam titles is, however, walking slowly into the sunset by playing Tour matches occasionally. As this season could well be his last, it remains to be seen whether the Indian ace gets a farewell in the Davis Cup. The last time he represented the country in the tournament was in 2011 when India played Japan at Tokyo.

S.P. Misra, the chairman of the All India Tennis Association’s selection committee, said there is no place for sentiments while picking teams. “The first priority has always been to win the tie. And doubles matches are always crucial in the Davis Cup. Mahesh has been a fantastic player and has done a lot for the country. But, I don’t know whether we can go on sentiments at all,” Misra, former Davis Cup player and non-playing captain, told this newspaper.

Misra said Bhupathi “can be India’s next non-playing captain after Anand Amritraj.” “I feel the Indian team have gone through the transition successfully. We have got Leander (Paes) and Rohan (Bopanna) playing doubles. They make a very good team,” said Misra. India will start their 2015 Davis Cup campaign in July with an Asia Oceania Group tie against either China or New Zealand.

Somdev Devvarman, the spearhead of the team, too echoed Misra’s sentiments. “It (Bhupathi getting a farewell) depends on what kind of tie it is. Mahesh should also feel that he’s fit enough to play and win. The most important thing for a Davis Cup match is to find the best players to win.I think, Mahesh understands that.

“That’s what you have to look for. I don’t think you have to look for sentiments when it comes to a farewell tie. He is not a captain, he is a player. As a player, you have to find the best team. So for me, it’s as simple as that,” said Somdev.