'Shocked' Bopanna blasts AITA for Bhupathi's removal as captain

Commenting on the controversy surrounding former Indian Davis Cup Captain Mahesh Bhupati, ace tennis player Rohan Bopanna said that his removal from the post as captain so close to the cup was "shocking". Bopanna took to Twitter and expressed his displeasure at players not being consulted before changing the captain for the Davis Cup tie against Pakistan. The player posted a note which further read: "What shocked me more is that none of the players was asked or even informed that the Captain was going to be changed."

READ | Bopanna Blasts AITA For Captain Change; Body Says "don't Interfere"

Rohan Bopanna's note on Twitter in its entirety:

AITA went ahead and named Rohit Rajpal new captain 

Former tennis ace and India's non-playing Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi refused to travel to Pakistan for the Davis Cup tie which was to be played in Islamabad on November 29-30, and will now be played on a neutral venue. Incidentally, Bopanna along with five others had pulled out the Pakistan tour, citing safety concerns. With captain Bhupathi also pulling out for the same reason, AITA went ahead and named Rohit Rajpal as the new captain for the tie at its Executive Committee on Monday in Chandigarh.

Bhupathi's term as the non-playing captain had already got over in December 2018 and he was given an extension to lead the side in the tie against Italy in February this year in Kolkata. Bopanna's contention is that the All India Tennis Association (AITA) changed the captain before ITF made a final decision on a neutral venue.

READ | AITA: ITF To Take Final Call On India’s Davis Cup Tie Against Pak

Mahesh Bhupathi breaks his silence

READ | India Vs Pakistan In Davis Cup: ITF Snubs AITA, Refuses To Postpone Or Shift Venue Out Of Islamabad

Hironmoy Chatterjee slams Bopanna

Meanwhile AITA asserted that it was not players' domain to comment on policy matters. Asked if Bopanna, who had pulled out of the tie against Spain in September 2016, will still be considered for the tie against Pakistan, AITA Secretary-General Hironmoy Chatterjee said, "That is for the selection committee to decide. We will put up a proper team." He further said AITA has been lenient in dealing with players. "We don't always want to penalize the players. But we kept them out for the Korea tie (February 2013). We are lenient but not weak. Who is he (Bopanna) to ask this question? This is for the administration to decide," fumed Chatterjee.

READ | India Vs Pakistan In Davis Cup: AITA May Request For Shift To Neutral Venue Instead Of Islamabad