Davis Cup: Mahesh Bhupathi will inspire youngsters, says Zeeshan Ali

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Bengaluru, Feb 16: Former Indian Tennis player Zeeshan Ali has been appointed as the coach of the Indian team for their upcoming match against Uzbekistan in the Davis Cup.

Bhupathi to be India's non-playing Davis Cup captain

Zeeshan, however, seems to be extremely content with the appointment of Mahesh Bhupathi as the non-playing captain of the Indian squad.

Zeeshan, speaking from Bangalore over the phone said: “It has been a great decision for the All India Tennis Association (AITA) bringing Mahesh Bhupathi as the nonplaying captain of the team."

The former Davis Cupper clarified: “Anand Amritraj was also a Davis Cupper. He also had a lot of experience where Davis Cup matches are considered.

"But Mahesh is the Grand Slam winner in the doubles. There is a huge difference between simply being a Davis Cupper and a Grand Slam winner.

"Presence of Mahesh in the Indian squad will be a huge inspiration for the players, especially for the younger generation of players."

Zeeshan further said: “Actually, AITA is in a transition to develop an Indian squad for the future. Other than Leander and Rohan Bopanna the other players who are playing for the Indian team and those who are being called up in the training with the national squad are mostly 20 years old on an average.

"Mahesh, being the youngest captain of Indian squad in the Davis Cup will be able to create a great boost among these young players who are in the making.

"I feel bringing in Mahesh as the non-playing captain of the team has been extremely helpful to the youngsters in Indian tennis."

As a member of the senior selection committee, Zeeshan Ali was aksed about ace tennis star Leander Paes' future, to which he said: “It will entirely depend on Leander whether he will quit or continue.

"We will sit for the selection of the team on 6th March for Uzbekistan tie. AITA will issue letters to all the players to know about their availability for the match before the selection committee meeting.

"We will be able to know through that correspondence whether Leander will be available for the next Davis Cup match or not.

"But as a coach and a selection committee member, I opine that Leander is in perfect fitness and in excellent shape to perform in the Davis Cup."

OneIndia News