Amritraj likely to lose Davis Cup captaincy

New Delhi: India’s Davis Cup team replaced SP Misra three years ago as their non-playing captain to Anand Amritraj. Amritraj, who was chosen by players could lose the captaincy because of the ‘indiscipline’.

The All India Tennis Association’s (AITA) executive committee met in New Delhi to discuss the issue of Amritraj’s extension as the team’s non-playing captain. No decision has been taken yet and a few top officers think Amritraj should not continue, as under his leadership, there has been ‘lack of discipline’ in the team.

Hiranmoy Chatterjee, AITA’s secretary general said that the dressing room had become a ‘free for all’ room in the last three years. During India’s Davis Cup tie against Spain in New Delhi in September, an issue was raised with Amritraj.

During the September 2014 World Group playoff tie against Serbia in Bangalore, a player had reportedly brought his girlfriend to the dressing room while the rest of the team was out on the court.

“I discussed it with coach and captain and I said there can’t be a free-for-all…journalists are going to the dressing room, girlfriends are going to the dressing room. I said it can’t happen that way,” Chatterjee told The Indian Express. “There are certain disciplines that need to be maintained during a tie. Anyway, we will discuss everything and members will take a call about Anand’s future.”

The team has fared decently under Amritraj’s captaincy. India won their superiority in the Asia/Oceania zone. They were consistently reaching the World Group playoffs but were undone by tough draws against Serbia, Czech Republic and Spain in the last three years.

The tenure of Amritraj which ends this month, might not be extended. The AITA is likely to stick with Zeeshan Ali as the coach.

Nandan Bal and Ramesh Krishnan are considered to be front runners to replace him if AITA parts ways with him. According to a senior AITA member, they will take a decision in two weeks.

A senior AITA member said, “Ultimately, it is the captain’s responsibility to ensure there is discipline in the team.”

“The captain and coach are appointed till the end of the year. So till then, he will be there. We had a slight discussion yesterday (Thursday) but since it was not an official part of the meeting, we have decided to meet again,” Chatterjee said.

“We will discuss at length whether we should give him another extension. We have already given him three years so everyone feels he should be given another year, then we will do that. If it is felt a change is required, we will discuss the change.”