Internet Desk: Former Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj has blamed both Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi for the latest episode in their acrimonious relationship. Terming the recent controversy as a “new chapter in old story”, the former Davis Cup captain held both the players responsible for the current mess.
The former Davis Cup captain made it clear that Bhupathi should have made it clear to Paes that he was not in the playing four. He also held Paes at fault for travelling to Bengaluru for the tie without getting the assurance from Mahesh.
Paes had accused Bhupathi of using his position to exclude him from the team while the captain said he had never actually promised him a place in the final four and had given him the option of not coming to Bengaluru as reserve.
“It’s just a new chapter in old story. It’s just tragic that it has cropped up again. There is fault on both sides. It was pretty badly handled by Mahesh. Why did Mahesh not send a mail to Leander and told him clearly that you are are not in final four? If he had decided to pick Rohan two months back, why keep this guy (Leander) hanging?,” Amritraj told PTI in an interaction.
“Did he want to fool the Uzbeks by picking four singles players? Nobody is going to get fooled like this. And Lee should not have come to Bangalore at all if he was not sure of playing.
“All this confusion could have been avoided. All Mahesh needed to do was send an e-mail to Leander that he was not being considered in final four and mark a copy to AITA.”
Paes had left Bengaluru mid-way into the tie, a move which Bhupathi said was final nail in the coffin. The captain also did not like the fact that Paes spoke to media despite his gag order.
However, Amritraj felt there Paes had no reason to stay back in Bengaluru, doing nothing.
“What’s the point in hanging around? The team was already 2-0 up after day one. It was better if he left for the US and get acclimatised to the conditions for the next tournament.
There was no point leaving on Monday.
“He should not have put himself for humiliation. He should not have come to Bangalore,” felt Amritraj.