Davis Cup 2019: Leander Paes returns to Indian squad for Pakistan tie after Rohan Bopanna, other stars refuse to travel

New Delhi: Leander Paes is set to return to the Indian Davis Cup squad since April 2018 after making himself available for the upcoming tie against Pakistan when country’s top players and non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi have refused to travel to the neighbouring nation, citing security concerns. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) recently began the visa process for its players even as they are insistent on a neutral venue. [caption id=“attachment_6740721” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Leander Paes. Image courtesy: Twitter @Leander[/caption] While the national federation is awaiting a final response from the world governing body ITF on the venue for the 29-30 November tie, it has already sent names of the players and support staff members for securing visa. AITA secretary general Hironmoy Chatterjee told PTI that Paes has confirmed his availability for the tie in Islamabad. “ITF wanted us to start the visa process, so we sent a few names, including Leander’s. The tie will be played on grass and Leander, on grass, is very formidable. We will select a final team soon, nothing is finalised as yet,” Chatterjee said. Asked if Paes can be made playing captain, Chatterjee said, “It’s too early to comment on that but definitely he will not go as non-playing captain. He has not retired, he is still playing so we can’t send him as non-playing captain. First we have to select a team, then the committee will decide on captain as well.” Paes has not been considered by AITA for selection after he won the history-creating doubles match during the tie against China in April 2018. Paes became the most successful doubles player in the history of Davis Cup when he and Rohan Bopanna defeated Ze Zhang and Mao-Xin Gong. It was Paes’ 43rd victory which took him past Italian Nicola Pietrangeli (42). Non-playing captain Bhupathi, top doubles player Bopanna and top singles players like Ramkumar Ramanathan, Sumit Nagal, Sasi Kumar Mukund have all said they are not comfortable travelling to Islamabad. Country’s best-ranked singles player Prajnesh Gunneswaran and doubles exponent Divij Sharan have also said they are not available for the tie. “We have exempted Prajnesh because he is getting married on the first day of the tie. Divij told us he is taking a two-week break after his wedding reception on 23 November. The families of Mahesh, Rohan, Ramkumar are not comfortable with their travelling to Pakistan,” Chatterjee said. Players making themselves available are Saketh Myneni, Arjun Kadhe, Vijay Sundar Prashanth, N Sriram Balaji, Siddharth Rawat and Manish Suresh Kumar. Also making himself available is coach Zeeshan Ali, physio Anand Kumar while MSLTA secretary Sunder Iter will go as team manager.