AITA reveals why Leander Paes wasn't made Davis Cup captain versus Pak

All India Tennis Association (AITA) CEO Akhouri Bishweep dressed queries on why tennis ace Leander Paes was t me captain for India's team for its Davis Cup tie with Pakistan. Days after Rohit Rajpal replaced Mahesh Bhupathi as n-playing captain for India, Hironmoy Chatterjee dressed a press conference and provided details as to how Rohit Rajpal was chosen as n-playing captain of side. Mahesh Bhupathi h been replaced as captain by AITA after International Tennis Federation (ITF) h decided to shift venue of tie to a neutral location on Monday. 

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AITA on why Leander Paes wasn't named captain

AITA CEO Akhouri Bishweep said that Mahesh Bhupathi h been replaced as captain as both latter's family and himself was t comfortable traveling to Pakistan. AITA revealed that it h approached Leander Paes after it convened an emergency meeting on 15 October and h decided to approach most decorated and senior tennis player in country. Akhouri Bishweep furr said that while Leander Paes h agreed immediately to be a part of team for India's Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in line of national duty, he could t be named captain as a n-playing member was tritionally named as captain of side so that re is burden on playing members of team. 

"In meantime, our captain gave a list of those top Indian players who h given ir acceptance to travel to Pakistan - Saketh Myneni, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, Arjun Khe, Vijay Sundar Prashanth, Manish Sureshkumar, and Siddarth Vishwakarma. On basis of meeting on 15 October, AITA approached most decorated and senior player Leander Paes to ask if he would be available to be a part of team as ors h expressed concerns about traveling to Pakistan. Leander Paes immediately said that he was available in line of national duty. Mahesh Bhupathi h alrey informed that he couldn't travel to Pakistan as his family was t comfortable with it. Considering strong likelihood of tie being held in Islamab, it was, refore, important to decide on a captain who h experience, maturity, and calmness to deal with this sensitive tour and someone whose family did t have a problem with travel. Furr, we did t want to burden him as he was a playing member. Tritionally a n-playing captain is appointed. Under se circumstances, Rohit Rajpal was selected as captain of team", said Akhouri Bishweep during press conference.     

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AITA chairman on Mahesh Bhupathi

"We would t like to go into detail of correspondence with players. However some facts are important and need to be mentioned. As of 28 sept 2019, it h been communicated by erstwhile captain Mahesh Bhupathi that he h spoken to all players personally and that one was comfortable going to Pakistan. His recommendation was that he wanted AITA to fight for change in venue, which it alrey was. If y do t get it, he wanted m to keep fighting to take loser's spot. He wanted AITA to speak personally to players. An emergency meeting was called on 15 October and AITA met to take a decision where it was decided that even if tie was t shifted out of Islamab, India would t forefeit tie r would it accept to take loser's spot because it was far too prestigious. We were putting pressure on both Pakistan and ITF to ensure security arrangements", said Akhouri Bishweep in press briefing. 

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