Mahesh Bhupathi is a front-runner to replace Anand Amritraj as India’s Davis Cup captain, PTI reported.
According to sources cited by PTI, the former Davis Cupper could be handed the reins ahead of the 2017 season.
The Executive Council of the All India Tennis Association is set to meet with the selection committee via a teleconference call on Thursday to take a decision on the potential extension, or selection, of the team skipper and coach.
Initially there had been reports that former Davis Cup squad member Ramesh Krishnan and Nandan Bal were in contention to take over from Amritraj, whose tenure has come under question for lack of discipline within the team.
AITA had earlier clarified that both were not in consideration. The Association also made a mention that Bhupathi and Somdev Devvarman were being looked at as potential replacements for Amritraj and Zeeshan Ali respectively.
“Neither Ramesh Krishnan nor Nandan Bal is in race to become captain as reported earlier. Mahesh is a possible candidate for captaincy. Somdev has thrown his hat into the ring for the coach’s position. Now, committee will decide if Mahesh and Somdev can be installed as new support staff members,” PTI cited the source as saying.
Meanwhile Amritraj, who has been supported by the players to continue as the team captain, has asked for a one-year term extension and the same will be up for discussion as well, in Thursday’s meeting.
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