This despite the fact that Indian Davis Cup team has made it to the World Group play-off thrice under under his captaincy in last three years. But why is AITA now trying to show Anand the door is not something new in Indian tennis.
With All India Tennis Association likely to meet on Thursday to decide on the name of India's next Davis Cup captain, there are enough indications that former doubles tennis great Anand Amritraj is likely to be shown the door in all probability.
This despite the fact that Indian Davis Cup team has made it to the World Group play-off thrice under under his captaincy in last three years. But why is AITA now trying to show Anand the door is not something new in Indian tennis.
Jogging one's memory back, one can see how from Naresh Kumar to Jaidip Mukherjea and finally SP Misra were all removed for no fault of theirs.
And now Misra, himself, is chairman of AITA's selection committee and is reportedly been pressured to take such a decision.
DNA has reliably learnt that there are several contenders for this post. And the one who is apparently lobbying hard is none other but former Davis Cup coach Nandan Bal.
Bal, who was at the helm of Indian team for almsot seven years, is not the only one in the race. It has been learnt that names of Ramesh Krishnan, Vijay Amritraj, Gaurav Natekar, Sandeep Kirtane and Mahesh Bhupathi are also in serious contention with the AITA selection panel. But with Bhupathi largely been seen as man from "other lobby" and is in not in good relationship with Davis Cup senior most player and his former doubles partner, Leander Paes, his name may get buried even before being taken up for discussion.
The name of Vijay Amritraj was interestingly discussed a decade back. But as his son, Prakash, was part of Indian Davis Cup team then, the selectors didn't feel it proper to pick him as non-playing captain. However, if sources within the AITA are to be believed then one powerful lobby is pushing for his name this time around.
"AITA wants the best candidate for the job. And our working relationship with Anand has been a good one," said an AITA official on the condition of anonymity.
It is important to mention here that AITA has been suspended by Sport Ministry for not adhering to Sport Code during Anil Khanna tenure. Though Khanna has now taken a back seat and is controlling AITA through remote control, any one-sided act against a reputed player just for the sake of pleasing one particular lobby may not find favour with the Ministry.
Anand has been blamed for allowing the indiscipline during his tenure. But top four singles players, including Somdev Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri, Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan have reportedly requested AITA to retain both Amritraj and Zeeshan Ali since the team has produced good results under them.
"We have had a good working rapport with Anand Amritraj. It will be very sad if he is going to be sacked. What is worse in this is Anand is being portrayed negatively for no fault of his," said a senior player.
To make the matters worse, DNA has also learnt that "in all likelihood only one doubles specialist would be picked in order to benefit a particular lobby". Rohan Bopanna and Paes were both part of the team which last played Spain in the World Group play-off in September in the Capital.
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