The controversy about Harsh Mankad's selection in the Davis Cup squad came to a happy ending on Monday, as the player and captain Leander Paes acknowledged miscommunication and resolved to put the issue behind them ahead of the crucial tie this week.
Mankad, the highest ranked Indian on the ATP Tour, demanded a guaranteed playing slot in the Indian team after he was named reserve player for the World Group play-off against Sweden, from September 23 to 25.
The 26-year-old reportedly threatened to keep away from the tie if his demands were not met.
Paes said it was a combination of gap in communication and the player's professional difficulties that had led to a simple issue being blown up.
The captain said the whole controversy could have been avoided had the concerned parties talked it out among themselves instead of going to the media.
He also said the All India Tennis Association could have resisted naming the four players and instead announced a probables' list.
"Harsh is a smart guy, it did not take much convincing (to make him join the team)," Paes said.
"Things were miscommunicated. When there is a misunderstanding between the two players, the best is to pick up the phone and talk.
"Harsh thought he was not welcome on the table. Probably it had to do with certain selection parameters, but certainly it was not me. To me he is the pillar of the team."
Mankad cited frustration arising out of constant travelling as a probable reason behind his stern stance vis-a-vis a spot in the squad.
"It is tough on the tour. There is loneliness, you are playing all the while and when you get to read different things, it leads to frustration," he said.
"But can't do anything about what has happened. Now I know what I have to do in such situations in the future. I know what steps to take, and am confident such situations won't happen again," he said.
