No matter how old the issue is, the Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi saga will never be forgotten. Their tiffs have certainly had an adverse effect on the country’s Davis Cup fortunes, and there is more to think about after India’s highest-ranked singles player, Rohan Bopanna, made himself unavailable for the Asia/Oceania Zone Group I tie against Uzbekistan. India’s chances against the Uzbeks on indoor clay were never bright, but with rookies on board, even the unquestionable experience of Paes may not be enough.Bopanna’s absence means Karan Rastogi is the highest-ranked Indian in the squad, which also includes Delhi’s Vivek Shokeen, Assam’s Somdev KDev Varman and Chandigarh’s Sunil Kumar Sipaeya (fifth member).Rastogi expressed shock at Bopanna’s decision, but said he was ready for the challenge. “This morning when I got the news, I was shocked. But it’s a personal decision. He has played Davis Cup many times, this is my first. I can’t even think about not playing. I know I’ll have to play the singles, and I’m ready to play the doubles also,” said Rastogi.While Rastogi will spearhead the singles challenge, it’s likely that Shokeen will be the other singles player. While All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary Anil Khanna didn’t give a definite answer, Shokeen said: “They’ve told me that I might be playing the singles rubber.”Bopanna, who opted out of the tie as he has commitments on the ATP Tour, said he had not closed the door on his future in terms of Davis Cup. “I informed Anil Khanna about my decision when I found out I’m in the main draw at Delray Beach. I can’t say about the next tie, but I’m certain I want to concentrate on improving my doubles ranking. I hope to compete in doubles at the Grand Slams also,” said Bopanna, speaking to The Indian Express from Miami, where he is playing with Chris Haggard. “I have not spoken to Leander yet,” he added.And even though some might say it is another tangent of the Doha fiasco, where Bopanna’s refusal to partner Leander in the doubles may have led to a fair amount of tension between the two, the Coorgi himself begs to differ. “There is no such issue. I have an opportunity here to improve my ranking by playing in the main draw, and I don’t want to let it go.”As a result, it’s a squad of newcomers who face the Uzbek challenge head on. Their chances may be bleak, but the AITA chief feels the youngsters will have to step up to the mark sooner or later. “It’s a tough tie, but I feel we have a fair chance. Vivek is a hard-hitting boy. He’s had some good victories like the win over Aisam Qureshi during the India-Pakistan series. The selectors feel he has the ability to raise his game against higher ranked players. Somdev too has done well recently,” said Khanna.Bopanna has left a big gap, as both singles and doubles hopes would have been riding on him. Now, the picture looks hazy. “I don’t know who will partner Leander in the doubles. We have more than one option, and it is up to him to decide,” added Khanna. Former India player Sandeep Kirtane has been named coach alongside Nandan Bal for the February 9-11 tie at Namangan.(With inputs from Anupama Bagri at Kolkata)
