AITA works out compromise formula

The players had demanded to have a new team captain, coach, doctor and physiotherapist to which AITA agreed but did not accept the choice put forward by the players.

The national tennis body has replaced coach Nandan Bal with Zeeshan Ali even as the players had preferred Aditya Sachdeva, who has coached talented Yuki Bhambri, a member of the Indian team.

The AITA decided that the team captain should be an experienced Davis Cup player and the coach should have at least been a former Davis Cupper.

"This decision was taken by the Executive Committee so that Davis Cuppers have an opportunity to serve the nation even after their retirement. Accordingly, we are pleased to inform you that the new coach for the year 2013 for the Indian Davis cup team will be Zeeshan Ali," AITA said in a statement.

AITA has also assured to change captain S P Misra after the South Korea tie but it is not known if the replacement would be of the players' choice or the tennis body would impose its own candidate.

"The AITA Executive Committee felt that Mr S P Misra reserves befitting honour for his excellent contribution in handling the Davis Cup team, which performed creditably under his leadership. AITA EC has therefore, decided to retain Mr S P Misra as the captain of the Indian Davis Cup Team for the Korea Tie, where he will be befittingly honoured," the statement said. More