Indian Davis Cup faction revolting against the captaincy of Leander Paes have relented for the time-being, making themselves available for the tie against Japan, which will be held from April 11 in New Delhi.
Vijay Amritraj issued a statement in Bangalore on Sunday, which said that Rohan Bopanna, Prakash Amritraj and Mahesh Bhupathi will play the Japan tie, though the "issues" and their original stand against Paes still stood. The former India Davis Cup captain said that the players had given him a "good hearing" and consented to put the issues on the back-burner.
The statement:
"Playing for the country is of paramount importance and there is no greater honour than representing one's country in any walk of life.
"Having grown up with this dream nothing pained us more than writing the letter we did to the All India Tennis Association regarding the Davis Cup. It was done after a lot of thought and with a heavy heart.
"Over the last one month and especially after the AITA meeting in Delhi and following their decisions we have had numerous conversations with India's most respected sports ambassador, who served our country with distinction over two decades, Vijay Amritraj.
"With out only goal being playing for the country and with all other issues very much on the table, we look forward to playing Japan at home in April."
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The announcement came just in time as the All India Tennis Association, which had retained the team that played against Uzbekistan last month and strongly backed Paes, had given a March 10 deadline for revolting players to convey their decision.
Four members of the Davis Cup team, including the top two singles players Prakash and Bopanna, had written a letter to the AITA after the Uzbek tie stating that they were uncomfortable with Paes in the captain's chair and that they would not play against Japan if the doubles specialist continued to lead the team. The players, unwilling for a compromise, had also reiterated their stand in the press earlier.
Amritraj said that the change in heart was purely for the Japan tie and that the players had agreed to step down and put the country's interests ahead.
"I didn't know the depth of the issues earlier. But I had a long discussion with all the boys; though I haven't been able to speak to Leander, and this is what they have agreed upon. I appreciate them for bringing the issues forward and they will be looked into."
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