India's captain Virat Kohli has "already left a legacy" with his batting, in all the three formats of cricket, said former India Test great VVS Laxman and added that Indian players are far more experienced and talented than the Australian team as Virat's side is currently on a tour Down Under.

India will play four Tests, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.&nbsp;

The T20 series ended in a draw and the Test series got underway on December 6, in which India will look to create history as they have never won a Test series on Australia soil.

Laxman, who his remembered for his several match-winning and match-saving innings, in an interview to WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo shared his thoughts on Virat's leadership and team's performance.

"He [Virat] has become a role model. I think this is a great opportunity for Virat Kohli the captain to leave a legacy behind. Because he has got a very formidable team playing against an unsettled Australian team and if you compare player to player, I think Indian players are far more experienced and talented than the Australian team," Laxman said.

The former middle-order great also praised Virat's fitness, saying, "He is very disciplined about his fitness, about his diet."&nbsp;

Virat Kohli sticks to a high-protein diet, minus any junk food and practice weight training to gain lean muscle mass and maintain low body fat levels.

One can see the intensity with which Kohli prepares, and how meaningful those practice sessions are, and because of that he goes out and consistently delivers for the team, he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1OfMMTgvtGA" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On being asked about the team's comparison with the former teams, Laxman replied that he doesn't like comparisons. He said, "I don't like to compare teams and players from different generations."

"I have always been of this opinion because the challenges, the opportunities, the conditions, the situations were totally different. I think it is not right or fair to compare teams from different generations," he said.

Laxman has an aggregate of 8781 runs in his Test career playing a total of 225 innings. His performance against Australia is worth mentioning as he scored 2434 runs in 29 matches with a strike rate of 54.33, including six centuries and 12 half-centuries.

Laxman also expressed his views on Virat's resemblance with former captain Sourav Ganguly. He said that Virat is "very positive".

"If you talk about his first Test as captain, there were two choices - play for a draw or go out and play positively, with an aggressive approach and look for a win.&nbsp;

"He chose to play with an aggressive approach," appreciated Laxman.

"The team didn't win that match but that made a statement - that was a very very bold statement that 'I'm the captain, I want team India to play in this fashion'.&nbsp;

For the first Test of the Australian tour in December 2014, Dhoni was not part of the Indian team at Adelaide due to an injury, and Kohli took the reins as Test captain for the first time.&nbsp;

Kohli scored 115 in India's first innings, becoming the fourth Indian to score a hundred on Test captaincy debut.

In the second innings, India needed 364, Kohli came in to bat when the Indian innings was reduced to 57/2.

He put on 185 runs for the third wicket with Murali Vijay, however, India was bowled out for 315 with Kohli's 141 off 175 balls being the top score.

Laxman said, "I think it all boils down to what the leader is showcasing. I think he is very aggressive, but the important thing is that the aggression is not artificial."

"That is something which is very important. Everyone should be as natural as possible and they will be successful. If you are artificial about it, it will eventually show," Laxman concluded.

India's captain Virat Kohli has "already left a legacy" with his batting, in all the three formats of cricket, said former India Test great VVS Laxman and added that Indian players are far more experienced and talented than the Australian team as Virat's side is currently on a tour Down Under.

India's captain Virat Kohli has "already left a legacy" with his batting, in all the three formats of cricket, said former India Test great VVS Laxman and added that Indian players are far more experienced and talented than the Australian team as Virat's side is currently on a tour Down Under. India will play four Tests, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. The T20 series ended in a draw and the Test series got underway on December 6, in which India will look to create history as they have never won a Test series on Australia soil. Laxman, who his remembered for his several match-winning and match-saving innings, in an interview to WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo shared his thoughts on Virat's leadership and team's performance. "He [Virat] has become a role model. I think this is a great opportunity for Virat Kohli the captain to leave a legacy behind. Because he has got a very formidable team playing against an unsettled Australian team and if you compare player to player, I think Indian players are far more experienced and talented than the Australian team," Laxman said. The former middle-order great also praised Virat's fitness, saying, "He is very disciplined about his fitness, about his diet." Virat Kohli sticks to a high-protein diet, minus any junk food and practice weight training to gain lean muscle mass and maintain low body fat levels. One can see the intensity with which Kohli prepares, and how meaningful those practice sessions are, and because of that he goes out and consistently delivers for the team, he said. × On being asked about the team's comparison with the former teams, Laxman replied that he doesn't like comparisons. He said, "I don't like to compare teams and players from different generations." "I have always been of this opinion because the challenges, the opportunities, the conditions, the situations were totally different. I think it is not right or fair to compare teams from different generations," he said. Laxman has an aggregate of 8781 runs in his Test career playing a total of 225 innings. His performance against Australia is worth mentioning as he scored 2434 runs in 29 matches with a strike rate of 54.33, including six centuries and 12 half-centuries. Laxman also expressed his views on Virat's resemblance with former captain Sourav Ganguly. He said that Virat is "very positive". "If you talk about his first Test as captain, there were two choices - play for a draw or go out and play positively, with an aggressive approach and look for a win. "He chose to play with an aggressive approach," appreciated Laxman. "The team didn't win that match but that made a statement - that was a very very bold statement that 'I'm the captain, I want team India to play in this fashion'. For the first Test of the Australian tour in December 2014, Dhoni was not part of the Indian team at Adelaide due to an injury, and Kohli took the reins as Test captain for the first time. Kohli scored 115 in India's first innings, becoming the fourth Indian to score a hundred on Test captaincy debut. In the second innings, India needed 364, Kohli came in to bat when the Indian innings was reduced to 57/2. He put on 185 runs for the third wicket with Murali Vijay, however, India was bowled out for 315 with Kohli's 141 off 175 balls being the top score. Laxman said, "I think it all boils down to what the leader is showcasing. I think he is very aggressive, but the important thing is that the aggression is not artificial." "That is something which is very important. Everyone should be as natural as possible and they will be successful. If you are artificial about it, it will eventually show," Laxman concluded.

Virat Kohli created 'legacy' with his batting, VVS Laxman tells WION

The Indian hockey team is all set to rewrite history as it attempts to clinch the elusive gold again in the 14th edition of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/hockey-world-cup">Men's Hockey World Cup</a> which is scheduled to take place at home in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

India are placed in Pool C with Belgium, Canada and South Africa and will play their first match against South Africa on the opening day, i.e. November 28.

In an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ready-to-take-up-world-cup-challenge-says-indian-goalkeeper-sreejesh-to-wion-179589">exclusive interview</a>, WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo spoke to Indian hockey coach Harendra Singh, who said that it is the right place and right platform for every player in the team to deliver their best on the field and win gold.&nbsp;

He also shared the 'mantra' of winning gold at the World Cup.

In this edition, 16 teams, which are drawn into four groups, each containing four teams, will play a total of 36 matches within a span of 18 match days.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/determined-india-look-to-end-43-years-long-medal-draught-at-hockey-world-cup-179717">Determined India look to end 43 years long medal </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/determined-india-look-to-end-43-years-long-medal-draught-at-hockey-world-cup-179717">draught</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/determined-india-look-to-end-43-years-long-medal-draught-at-hockey-world-cup-179717"> at Hockey World Cup</a>

Each team plays each other in its group once. The first-place team in each group will advance to the quarter-finals, while the second and third-placed teams in each group go into the crossover matches. From there on a single-elimination tournament will be played which gives the weaker teams a chance to qualify further.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3sDXLY7HpSY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Coach Harendra said, "The crucial match in this kind of format is the quarter-final." He further added that if the Team India manages to enter the semis then the chances of winning the tournament will be higher.

"I can guarantee you that's the only match that will change the history of India hockey," he told WION.

"The moment they will enter the semi-final, I can guarantee you that this team [team India] will stand at the centre of the podium," added the confident coach.

On being asked about the joy of playing at home, the coach said that it is something every sportsperson and coach looks forward in life.&nbsp;

There is always an add-on pressure when the team is playing in front of their own crowd but the coach said that this the time the players can connect with the people.&nbsp;

Having already led the junior hockey team to victory in 2016 Men's Hockey Junior World Cup in Lucknow, Singh is familiar with the winning feeling at home.&nbsp;

The Indian hockey team is all set to rewrite history as it attempts to clinch the elusive gold again in the 14th edition of Men's Hockey World Cup which is scheduled to take place at home in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The Indian hockey team is all set to rewrite history as it attempts to clinch the elusive gold again in the 14th edition of Men's Hockey World Cup which is scheduled to take place at home in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. India are placed in Pool C with Belgium, Canada and South Africa and will play their first match against South Africa on the opening day, i.e. November 28. In an exclusive interview, WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo spoke to Indian hockey coach Harendra Singh, who said that it is the right place and right platform for every player in the team to deliver their best on the field and win gold. He also shared the 'mantra' of winning gold at the World Cup. In this edition, 16 teams, which are drawn into four groups, each containing four teams, will play a total of 36 matches within a span of 18 match days. Also Read: Determined India look to end 43 years long medal draught at Hockey World Cup Each team plays each other in its group once. The first-place team in each group will advance to the quarter-finals, while the second and third-placed teams in each group go into the crossover matches. From there on a single-elimination tournament will be played which gives the weaker teams a chance to qualify further. × Coach Harendra said, "The crucial match in this kind of format is the quarter-final." He further added that if the Team India manages to enter the semis then the chances of winning the tournament will be higher. "I can guarantee you that's the only match that will change the history of India hockey," he told WION. "The moment they will enter the semi-final, I can guarantee you that this team [team India] will stand at the centre of the podium," added the confident coach. On being asked about the joy of playing at home, the coach said that it is something every sportsperson and coach looks forward in life. There is always an add-on pressure when the team is playing in front of their own crowd but the coach said that this the time the players can connect with the people. Having already led the junior hockey team to victory in 2016 Men's Hockey Junior World Cup in Lucknow, Singh is familiar with the winning feeling at home.

India hockey coach Harendra Singh's 'mantra' to win gold at World Cup

Men's Hockey World Cup, considered the most important tournament in field hockey after the Olympics, is scheduled to take place in India from November 28th to December 16th.

Having previously organised the tournament in 1982 and 2010, India is ready to host the prestigious event again in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The excitement for the event is quite evident looking at the online ticket sales. The tickets sales for India matches have already been sold out.

WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo spoke to Indian hockey coach Harendra Singh, captain Manpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh ahead of the tournament.

"We can never take from any Indian is the emotion for hockey and hockey is always connected with to the heart," said the coach while speaking exclusively to WION.

India won the elusive gold just once in 1975, after that it has mainly been downhill for India as European teams dominated the scene. In the interview with WION's sports editor Digvijay, the coach said that it is the right place and right platform for every player to deliver their best on the field and win gold.

The wall of the Indian hockey team, goalkeeper Sreejesh said that the "the entire team is ready to take up this challenge" in the tournament where 16 countries are participating.

On being asked about the nervousness and anxiety of playing in front of the home crowd, Sreejesh said, "When you are surrounded by your own people, it gives you goosebumps."

He added that it is important to be nervous in such big tournaments as it helps players to deliver their 100 per cent.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Great banter and lots of laughter. The three main men of the Indian Hockey team like you have never seen them before.A special buildup to the 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/FIH_Hockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIH_Hockey</a> World Cup with <a href="https://twitter.com/HarendraSingh66?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarendraSingh66</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/manpreetpawar07?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@manpreetpawar07</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/16Sreejesh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@16Sreejesh</a> at 730pm on Tuesday on <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHockeyIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheHockeyIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/tA9CHLa7SY">pic.twitter.com/tA9CHLa7SY</a>
— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiggySinghDeo/status/1066908682158596096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Indian hockey has been through a bad phase when the team struggled on the pitch but in recent years, the young players have proved their mettle winning several medals, including the Champions Trophy and bronze in Asian Games at Jakarta recently.

"We learned from our mistakes and improved ourselves. We worked with good coaches and we won in major tournaments. We are really improving and we are on the right track," said Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh to WION.

"We need to believe that we can do anything. We need to focus on ourselves and believe in ourselves," he added.

For the World Cup, India are placed in Pool C with Belgium, Canada and South Africa and will play their first match against South Africa on the inaugural day, i.e. November 28.

Men's Hockey World Cup, considered the most important tournament in field hockey after the Olympics, is scheduled to take place in India from November 28th to December 16th.

Men's Hockey World Cup, considered the most important tournament in field hockey after the Olympics, is scheduled to take place in India from November 28th to December 16th. Having previously organised the tournament in 1982 and 2010, India is ready to host the prestigious event again in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The excitement for the event is quite evident looking at the online ticket sales. The tickets sales for India matches have already been sold out. WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo spoke to Indian hockey coach Harendra Singh, captain Manpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh ahead of the tournament. "We can never take from any Indian is the emotion for hockey and hockey is always connected with to the heart," said the coach while speaking exclusively to WION. India won the elusive gold just once in 1975, after that it has mainly been downhill for India as European teams dominated the scene. In the interview with WION's sports editor Digvijay, the coach said that it is the right place and right platform for every player to deliver their best on the field and win gold. The wall of the Indian hockey team, goalkeeper Sreejesh said that the "the entire team is ready to take up this challenge" in the tournament where 16 countries are participating. On being asked about the nervousness and anxiety of playing in front of the home crowd, Sreejesh said, "When you are surrounded by your own people, it gives you goosebumps." He added that it is important to be nervous in such big tournaments as it helps players to deliver their 100 per cent. Great banter and lots of laughter. The three main men of the Indian Hockey team like you have never seen them before.A special buildup to the 2018 @FIH_Hockey World Cup with @HarendraSingh66 @manpreetpawar07 and @16Sreejesh at 730pm on Tuesday on @WIONews @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/tA9CHLa7SY — Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) November 26, 2018 × Indian hockey has been through a bad phase when the team struggled on the pitch but in recent years, the young players have proved their mettle winning several medals, including the Champions Trophy and bronze in Asian Games at Jakarta recently. "We learned from our mistakes and improved ourselves. We worked with good coaches and we won in major tournaments. We are really improving and we are on the right track," said Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh to WION. "We need to believe that we can do anything. We need to focus on ourselves and believe in ourselves," he added. For the World Cup, India are placed in Pool C with Belgium, Canada and South Africa and will play their first match against South Africa on the inaugural day, i.e. November 28.

Ready to take up World Cup challenge, says Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh to WION

Men's Hockey World Cup, considered the most important tournament in field hockey after the Olympics, is scheduled to take place in India from November 28th to December 16th.

Having previously organised the tournament in 1982 and 2010, India is ready to host the prestigious event again in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The excitement for the event is quite evident looking at the online ticket sales. The tickets sales for India matches have already been sold out.

WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo spoke to Indian hockey coach Harendra Singh, captain Manpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh ahead of the tournament.

"We can never take from any Indian is the emotion for hockey and hockey is always connected with to the heart," said the coach while speaking exclusively to WION.

India won the elusive gold just once in 1975, after that it has mainly been downhill for India as European teams dominated the scene. In the interview with WION's sports editor Digvijay, the coach said that it is the right place and right platform for every player to deliver their best on the field and win gold.

The wall of the Indian hockey team, goalkeeper Sreejesh said that the "the entire team is ready to take up this challenge" in the tournament where 16 countries are participating.

On being asked about the nervousness and anxiety of playing in front of the home crowd, Shreejesh said, "When you are surrounded by your own people, it gives you goosebumps."

He added that it is important to be nervous in such big tournaments as it helps players to deliver their 100 per cent.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Great banter and lots of laughter. The three main men of the Indian Hockey team like you have never seen them before.A special buildup to the 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/FIH_Hockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIH_Hockey</a> World Cup with <a href="https://twitter.com/HarendraSingh66?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarendraSingh66</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/manpreetpawar07?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@manpreetpawar07</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/16Sreejesh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@16Sreejesh</a> at 730pm on Tuesday on <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHockeyIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheHockeyIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/tA9CHLa7SY">pic.twitter.com/tA9CHLa7SY</a>
— Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiggySinghDeo/status/1066908682158596096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Indian hockey has been through a bad phase when the team struggled on the pitch but in recent years, the young players have proved their mettle winning several medals, including the Champions Trophy and bronze in Asian Games at Jakarta recently.

"We learned from our mistakes and improved ourselves. We worked with good coaches and we won in major tournaments. We are really improving and we are on the right track," said Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh to WION.

"We need to believe that we can do anything. We need to focus on ourselves and believe in ourselves," he added.

For the World Cup, India are placed in Pool C with Belgium, Canada and South Africa and will play their first match against South Africa on the inaugural day, i.e. November 28.

Men's Hockey World Cup, considered the most important tournament in field hockey after the Olympics, is scheduled to take place in India from November 28th to December 16th. Having previously organised the tournament in 1982 and 2010, India is ready to host the prestigious event again in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The excitement for the event is quite evident looking at the online ticket sales. The tickets sales for India matches have already been sold out. WION's sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo spoke to Indian hockey coach Harendra Singh, captain Manpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh ahead of the tournament. "We can never take from any Indian is the emotion for hockey and hockey is always connected with to the heart," said the coach while speaking exclusively to WION. India won the elusive gold just once in 1975, after that it has mainly been downhill for India as European teams dominated the scene. In the interview with WION's sports editor Digvijay, the coach said that it is the right place and right platform for every player to deliver their best on the field and win gold. The wall of the Indian hockey team, goalkeeper Sreejesh said that the "the entire team is ready to take up this challenge" in the tournament where 16 countries are participating. On being asked about the nervousness and anxiety of playing in front of the home crowd, Shreejesh said, "When you are surrounded by your own people, it gives you goosebumps." He added that it is important to be nervous in such big tournaments as it helps players to deliver their 100 per cent. Great banter and lots of laughter. The three main men of the Indian Hockey team like you have never seen them before.A special buildup to the 2018 @FIH_Hockey World Cup with @HarendraSingh66 @manpreetpawar07 and @16Sreejesh at 730pm on Tuesday on @WIONews @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/tA9CHLa7SY — Digvijay Singh Deo (@DiggySinghDeo) November 26, 2018 × Indian hockey has been through a bad phase when the team struggled on the pitch but in recent years, the young players have proved their mettle winning several medals, including the Champions Trophy and bronze in Asian Games at Jakarta recently. "We learned from our mistakes and improved ourselves. We worked with good coaches and we won in major tournaments. We are really improving and we are on the right track," said Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh to WION. "We need to believe that we can do anything. We need to focus on ourselves and believe in ourselves," he added. For the World Cup, India are placed in Pool C with Belgium, Canada and South Africa and will play their first match against South Africa on the inaugural day, i.e. November 28.

Hockey is connected with every Indian, says Indian coach Harendra Singh to WION

I was a young boy in Bhubaneswar when Leander Paes sealed his status as a sporting icon by winning the Olympic Games men’s singles bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Like me, thousands of teenagers were perhaps inspired by the superhuman feat of this stylish player who made it a habit of punching above his weight.

Davis Cup matches in the 1990s meant jingoistic commentators on Doordarshan lavishing praise on Leander, his movement at the net and those delectable volleys as sweet as the straight drives of that other young Indian sportsman who was making a country fall in love with cricket all over again.

That was 1996. Today, Leander Paes is a fading tennis player, living in the past. And with every year, as the results dwindle and as his ranking tumbles, his spirit unwavering but body unwilling, he makes bizarre decisions that are beyond belief.

Leander Paes should consider himself lucky that he was even selected for the Asian Games in Indonesia. When the selection committee met, he was ranked sufficiently high enough to be considered. If the selectors were to meet today, he would not have talked of as being worthy to be on the flight to Palembang.

I was in Doha in 2006 when he last played the Asian Games. He won gold in men’s doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi and followed it up the same night with gold in the mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. It made him the most successful Indian tennis player at the Asian Games level but those twin triumphs came on the back of a nasty confrontation with Mahesh Bhupathi.

Leander Paes and captain Nandan Bal questioned Mahesh Bhupathi’s commitment after a shock defeat in the team competition. A livid Mahesh Bhupathi bided his time and unleashed a ferocious salvo after the men’s doubles gold medal.

It is a theme that has repeated itself over the past decade. Always it is has been Leander Paes, through friends in the media, who has managed to somehow always paint the others as guilty. Of course, the favourite mantra of playing for the flag is something that has been milked extremely well.

“Leander Paes plays for the flag and we are there to only tune the band,” a senior player once told me. That mantra was exposed at the Asian Games in 2010 when Leander Paes pulled out to play the ATP World Tour final. In his absence, Somdev Devvarman won two gold medals in men’s singles and doubles with Sanam&nbsp;Singh. Sania Mirza was the only star who turned up and she reached the final of the mixed doubles with Vishnu Vardhan.

The fracas ahead of the London Olympic Games is well known but while Leander Paes had a reasonable right to be peeved , the fact remained that by this time every Indian player on the tour was fed with his shenanigans and preferred to be slandered as anti-national rather than play with him.

In 2014, ahead of the Asian Games in Incheon, Leander Paes gave me an interview and said he did not want to go as he was over 40 and it would not show Indian tennis in good light. It was the right call and a young Indian team, headlined by Sania Mirza again delivered five medals. 
I was extremely amused to read then that Leander Paes had decided to make himself available for selection for the 2018 Asian Games. With him becoming available, the All India Tennis Association did not exactly have a choice did it?

At the Rio Olympics, Leander Paes left everyone hanging. He turned up late for a record-extending seventh Olympic Games, did not practice even once with partner Rohan Bopanna and as a result lost in the first round. Senior AITA officials revealed to me that they were livid that he had prioritised the World Team Tennis competition, a private tournament ahead of the Olympics.

Leander Paes’ latest no-show at the Asian Games hits Indian tennis hard. It now cannot even ask for a replacement. The phones have been burning hard between Palembang and New Delhi, the seat of the AITA. Leander Paes’ argument that he did not get the choice of partners is flawed. We are in 2018, not 1996, and he cannot demand a choice of partners.

The team management, headed by his old doubles partner Zeeshan Ali, has made the call that Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan are the best bets for a doubles medal and Leander Paes as a loyal servant of Indian tennis who has always ‘played for the flag’ should have accepted it with grace. He was given the option of playing with Ramkumar Ramanathan, India’s No. 1 singles player at the Asian Games. Ramkumar Ramanathan’s booming serve with Leander Paes’ electricity at the net could have worked.

Sadly, we won’t know. In a tournament without many high-profile stars, India had a chance to win two medals in men’s doubles. Leander Paes’ argument is exposed by his choice of a young 16-year-old Sania Mirza as mixed doubles partner at the 2002 Asian Games.&nbsp;

It does seem a strange coincidence that Leander Paes announced his withdrawal around the same time that he got a wildcard for an ATP tournament in the United States. He has not even travelled to Indonesia before making this call while the rest of the team has arrived in Palembang.

The All India Tennis Association now needs to call Leander Paes’ bluff. He has been a great servant of Indian sport, but the time has come to move on. He is no longer good news, he is a controversy magnet who distracts from the real goal of winning. Leander has let India down, again. Indian tennis can survive without him and must be spared of the drama.

(The author is covering the Asian Games in Jakarta) 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Leander Paes’ latest no-show at the Asian Games hits Indian tennis hard. It now cannot even ask for a replacement.

I was a young boy in Bhubaneswar when Leander Paes sealed his status as a sporting icon by winning the Olympic Games men’s singles bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Like me, thousands of teenagers were perhaps inspired by the superhuman feat of this stylish player who made it a habit of punching above his weight. Davis Cup matches in the 1990s meant jingoistic commentators on Doordarshan lavishing praise on Leander, his movement at the net and those delectable volleys as sweet as the straight drives of that other young Indian sportsman who was making a country fall in love with cricket all over again. That was 1996. Today, Leander Paes is a fading tennis player, living in the past. And with every year, as the results dwindle and as his ranking tumbles, his spirit unwavering but body unwilling, he makes bizarre decisions that are beyond belief. Leander Paes should consider himself lucky that he was even selected for the Asian Games in Indonesia. When the selection committee met, he was ranked sufficiently high enough to be considered. If the selectors were to meet today, he would not have talked of as being worthy to be on the flight to Palembang. I was in Doha in 2006 when he last played the Asian Games. He won gold in men’s doubles with Mahesh Bhupathi and followed it up the same night with gold in the mixed doubles with Sania Mirza. It made him the most successful Indian tennis player at the Asian Games level but those twin triumphs came on the back of a nasty confrontation with Mahesh Bhupathi. Leander Paes and captain Nandan Bal questioned Mahesh Bhupathi’s commitment after a shock defeat in the team competition. A livid Mahesh Bhupathi bided his time and unleashed a ferocious salvo after the men’s doubles gold medal. It is a theme that has repeated itself over the past decade. Always it is has been Leander Paes, through friends in the media, who has managed to somehow always paint the others as guilty. Of course, the favourite mantra of playing for the flag is something that has been milked extremely well. “Leander Paes plays for the flag and we are there to only tune the band,” a senior player once told me. That mantra was exposed at the Asian Games in 2010 when Leander Paes pulled out to play the ATP World Tour final. In his absence, Somdev Devvarman won two gold medals in men’s singles and doubles with Sanam Singh. Sania Mirza was the only star who turned up and she reached the final of the mixed doubles with Vishnu Vardhan. The fracas ahead of the London Olympic Games is well known but while Leander Paes had a reasonable right to be peeved , the fact remained that by this time every Indian player on the tour was fed with his shenanigans and preferred to be slandered as anti-national rather than play with him. In 2014, ahead of the Asian Games in Incheon, Leander Paes gave me an interview and said he did not want to go as he was over 40 and it would not show Indian tennis in good light. It was the right call and a young Indian team, headlined by Sania Mirza again delivered five medals. I was extremely amused to read then that Leander Paes had decided to make himself available for selection for the 2018 Asian Games. With him becoming available, the All India Tennis Association did not exactly have a choice did it? At the Rio Olympics, Leander Paes left everyone hanging. He turned up late for a record-extending seventh Olympic Games, did not practice even once with partner Rohan Bopanna and as a result lost in the first round. Senior AITA officials revealed to me that they were livid that he had prioritised the World Team Tennis competition, a private tournament ahead of the Olympics. Leander Paes’ latest no-show at the Asian Games hits Indian tennis hard. It now cannot even ask for a replacement. The phones have been burning hard between Palembang and New Delhi, the seat of the AITA. Leander Paes’ argument that he did not get the choice of partners is flawed. We are in 2018, not 1996, and he cannot demand a choice of partners. The team management, headed by his old doubles partner Zeeshan Ali, has made the call that Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan are the best bets for a doubles medal and Leander Paes as a loyal servant of Indian tennis who has always ‘played for the flag’ should have accepted it with grace. He was given the option of playing with Ramkumar Ramanathan, India’s No. 1 singles player at the Asian Games. Ramkumar Ramanathan’s booming serve with Leander Paes’ electricity at the net could have worked. Sadly, we won’t know. In a tournament without many high-profile stars, India had a chance to win two medals in men’s doubles. Leander Paes’ argument is exposed by his choice of a young 16-year-old Sania Mirza as mixed doubles partner at the 2002 Asian Games. It does seem a strange coincidence that Leander Paes announced his withdrawal around the same time that he got a wildcard for an ATP tournament in the United States. He has not even travelled to Indonesia before making this call while the rest of the team has arrived in Palembang. The All India Tennis Association now needs to call Leander Paes’ bluff. He has been a great servant of Indian sport, but the time has come to move on. He is no longer good news, he is a controversy magnet who distracts from the real goal of winning. Leander has let India down, again. Indian tennis can survive without him and must be spared of the drama. (The author is covering the Asian Games in Jakarta) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Leander Paes - the enigma strikes again

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Digvijay Singh Deo

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.