Leander-Mahesh indulges in mudslinging: Nation first or friendship first

They were once the cynosure of the nation, were looked up to as legends of Indians sports, once friends are now turned foes. I am talking about the legendary lawn tennis doubles’ pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati fondly called as Lee-Hesh. Crevices between the two are now wide open, the rift is only escalating but bridging.

The ugly war of words between the two has been unfolding every now and then, the immediate cause being the doubles team for the prestigious London Olympics. AITA, the nodal agency for selecting the lawn tennis team has teamed up Leander with Mahesh for the doubles team. Mahesh has come out in open alleging Leander of backstabbing and shared his apprehensions. He has categorically said he wouldn’t team up with Leander rather he would prefer Bopana as a doubles’ partner. Leander on the other hand has refuted all the charges.

The raging fire between the friends turned foes is showing no sign of calm, their parents’ too added fuel to the fire. While speaking to leading news channel, both Vece Paes and Krishna Bhupati tried to save their wards and opened many ugly sagas in public domain.                      

What an irony, just forty days to go for the prestigious Olympic Games and our two key players are indulging in mudslinging, washing dirty linen in public domain. Even for nation’s sake, duo is not ready to team up, instead they are trading allegations.

Their ugly war has raised many questions than answers. What comes first, Nation or Friendship? Why unfolding ugly stories at this point in time when all is decked up for the Olympics? The balloon of expectations it appears is about to burst before takes off. Let’s hope better sense will prevail and the duo will bury the rift in the interest of the nation.

With regards.

Rajiv Azad