Paes should not sulk; Bopanna is No 1 doubles player: Bhupathi

TIL Desk Sports/ Leander Paes has no reason to “sulk” after being excluded from India’s playing squad since he was conveyed in advance that his place was not confirmed in final four, non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi said. Bhupathi had picked Rohan Bopanna ahead of Paes to play against Uzbekistan and defended his decision.

“He deserves the respect after what he’s achieved for the country to be given the option to be in the six. We gave him the option and he readily took it. So after that, to sulk about not being in the four was a bit unprofessional,” Bhupathi said after India won the tie 4-1. Coming into the tie, Paes had a won a Challenger event in Mexico and joined the Indian team on Wednesday while the rest of the members assembled on Sunday.

Bhupathi said when there was space for only one doubles, player, Rohan Bopanna was a better choice. “Like I said in the press conference, I am a big believer that we don’t require a doubles specialist for the Davis Cup team. As of today, Rohan Bopanna is India’s number one doubles player by far,” he said. Paes was unhappy with his exclusion. He questioned the selection criteria and left for Mumbai midway into the tie, a decision which Bhupathi termed as “shocking”.