India needs to look beyond Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes

India’s relegation to Asia-Oceania group highlights the need to look beyond Mahesh, Leander and find an able support to Somdev in order to progress in the team event, writes Radhakrishnan Sreenivasan

Historically, Davis Cup has presented itself as a unique tournament that’s tested players irrespective of their rankings. The tales of Leander Paes beating Goran Ivanisevic or Ramesh Krishnan inspiring India to a fabulous win over France in the early 90’s have formed a part of Indian folklore.

Add to that a few top players loving to be a part of this event that dwells on the realms of patriotism; it’s a classic. Though statistically, rankings might not be the first selling point in this team competition, it still defines the status of the sport in that country. The recent Japan-India tie is a case in point.

While India have been relegated to the Asia-Oceania group stages, Japan deservedly gets to be a part of the world group after 26 long years. Eiji Takeuchi, the non-playing captain of the Japanese team at the moment, played his part in the doubles rubber against Spain in October 1985 — the last time Japan found itself amongst the elite. 

However, that wasn’t enough to stop Spain with the likes of Emilio Sanchez to turn out convincing winners against the Asian side. A process of rebuilding started for the Japanese; not the most convincing over the years. With just one quality singles player in Shuzo Matsuoka for the best part of the nineties, life was difficult. Being a part of the elite was a distant dream.

Fast forward to the year 2011; the oldest member of the squad is Go Soeda at 27. The highest-ranked player is closing in on the top 50 in the world; Kei Nishikori is a household name in Japan. After all, he was the first since Shuzo Matsuoka to win an ATP tour title in 2008. And the least-ranked player is Yuichi Sugita at 176. By the way it was Sugita, who put the Japanese en-route qualification with a fine win over India’s No 1 Somdev Devvarman.

Probably, there in lies the biggest lesson for India going forward in Davis cup. The youngest of the Indian contingent was Vishnuvardhan at 24; and by the way, the Secunderabad-based player walked into the team after Leander Paes withdrew with a back spasm and got to play because Somdev had an injured shoulder.

The average age of the team is 30; imagine the presence of Leander and therefore the average age touching 33. That would have meant that India was indeed one of the oldest teams in the competition. Add to that, India’s lowest-ranked “singles” player is Rohan Bopanna at 610.

These are compelling numbers that tell us not just where we are but possibly where we are headed too. India is a team that’s heavily reliant on three doubles players and one singles player to win us the tie every time it steps on to a court. If we have maintained our presence amongst the top-tier nations in Davis Cup over almost two decades, it’s largely due to Leander and Mahesh and not to forget, in Rohan Bopanna, you have a man who is ready to turn up for singles despite being a fine regular in doubles at the professional level. And that’s being brutally unfair on the individual and hence the team.

There have been flashes of talent in Karan Rastogi, Yuki Bhambri and Vishnuvardhan. However, there’s nobody like Somdev, who has blossomed into a consistent competitor. And that’s why Somdev is not overstating a good debut for the youngster from south India.

For among the new crop of players, it is Somdev, who knows what it means to turn out day after day and produce results. He’s measured himself against some of the better players and some of the best players to find out what it takes to climb up the ladder.

Perhaps he knows more than anyone else that the Indian team will not be able to afford a slip-up by Somdev in a Davis Cup tie. And again that’s being unjust on the youngster.

So, where are the youngsters and more importantly what’s the quality that’s required for India to be a super power?  The identification and hence, the consistent blooding process is a massive responsibility and it has to start now. Leander and Mahesh might not be around for a long time. And if we don’t find people who can come in and contribute in time, the glimpses of India’s presence in the world group could remain a dream for a while.

Yes, rankings don’t tell you the whole story in Davis Cup; but a few numbers still matter in one of the world’s best team sport.