The Indian Davis Cup captain told DNA that he has avoided discussing the issue in the media, as he preferred to sort it out with the player concerned first
Finally, Leander Paes has broken his silence on the Harsh Mankad episode. The Indian Davis Cup captain told DNA that he has avoided discussing the issue in the media, as he preferred to sort it out with the player concerned first.
“Harsh is justified in feeling slighted. The selectors have announced it all wrong. This whole issue could have been avoided,” he said.
India’s highest-ranked player should not have been put among the reserves, is what Leander feels. But he added, “All that aside, Harsh has to put his country first. Even I am there regardless of the fact whether I am going to play or not. No one can demand that.”
The captain is in regular contact with Harsh who is presently in France. “I am still speaking to him and as yet there is no final say on this matter. Harsh is an important part of the team and it is his responsibility to be there before the start of the tie. I am doing everything possible to get him there.”
Harsh, however, stays adamant: “My stand is firm, I will not change it.” Harsh has asked for a guaranteed singles berth on the squad. As of now it appears he will not be making the Delhi trip. He is entered into a Futures tournament in France, which will be held in the same week as the Davis Cup tie.
Leander went on to say that Davis Cup is all about teamwork and not individual brilliance. “In fact the team is bigger than just the four players. The coach, physio and the masseur too are integral components,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Bhupathi, another key member of the team, clarified that he would be playing the Davis Cup tie in Delhi. But he put a question mark over his participation in India’s future engagements.
“Though I have not completely made up my mind yet, I am thinking of taking a sabbatical after the Delhi tie,” he told DNA, while adding: “But I am not going anywhere, nor am I retiring. I can always be available.”
The team is scheduled to assemble in Delhi on Sunday.
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