New Delhi: Hurt by the players' demand for his removal from the Davis Cup team, S P Misra has quit as captain of the side to give AITA a free hand to find his replacement. AITA feels sorry for the "respected" man but has not decided as yet if he will be replaced.
"Yes, I have written to them that I would like to step down as captain. The ball is in AITA's court," said Misra from Hyderabad. Asked if he resumes his duty in the upcoming tie against South Korea if AITA does not accept his resignation, the 70-year-old former Davis Cupper player was non-committal. "We will see, we leave that open," was his terse reply.
Asked why he resigned when AITA had not asked him to step aside, Misra said,"There's no reason. Just to strengthen AITA's hands if they want to bring in some replacement. The ball is in their court. I have given them a free hand." Misra said he has not been contacted by any of the AITA officials as yet.
"No one has spoken to me. There are a lot of wise people to take a good decision," Misra, who had taken over as non-playing captain of the team in 2008 following Leander Paes' removal as captain on the insistence of some players. Meanwhile, AITA confirmed receiving Misra's e-mail.
"Yes, he has taken such a step and with a very heavy heart," said AITA CEO Hironmoy Chatterjee. "He did not appreciate the players' demand. He is a highly respected and non-controversial man. He has never been involed in anything wrong. We are sorry for him," Chatterjee added.
Asked if Misra's resignation will be accepted? Chatterjee did not give a clear reply. "Everything will be known soon. We are discussing everything. The players have made some suggestions but the ultimate call will be ours," Chatterjee said.
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