Palembang: The Indian tennis contingent squad have finally figured out their doubles combinations less than 24 hours before the start of competition at the Asian Games here Sunday, a far from ideal scenario courtesy Leander Paes’ sudden withdrawal.
The singles entries were already decided and so was the doubles pairing of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan. The other doubles and mixed doubles combinations were finalised after an intense training session here Friday evening.
The two events have always been crucial for India at the Games where the country bagged five medals four years ago including a mixed doubles gold, a silver and bronze in the men’s doubles besides a women’s doubles bronze.
Ramkumar Ramanathan, who will be playing singles alongside Prajnesh Gunneswaran, will form the second men’s doubles pairing with Sumit Nagal, who arrived here late Friday night.
Captain Zeeshan Ali was upset at having to choose between Ramanathan, Gunneswaran and Nagal as they are all singles specialists.
Ali has already said that Paes’ absence will be a big loss and the women’s unit will have to fight for medals without Sania Mirza, who is expecting.
The choice in the mixed doubles is rather interesting. Besides their singles duty, Ankita Raina and Karman Kaur Thandi will be pairing up with Bopanna and Sharan respectively.
Doubles expert Prarthana Thombare has been ignored for mixed doubles. She will pair up with Raina in women’s doubles. Raina, incidentally will be playing all the three events. Rutuja Bhonsale and Pranjala Yadlapalli will be the other women’s doubles duo.
Ali reiterated that rankings were not considered before the doubles selection and the decision was based on the best team combination.
“The decision has been taken after the practice session Friday evening and the following discussions with Rohan and Divij,” Ali told this agency, Saturday.
