How Not to Pick a Team


Finally. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced the tennis teams to send for the Olympics in men’s doubles (Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna ) and mixed doubles (Leander Paes and Sania Mirza).

All the commotion prior to this decision was because the AITA (and Paes) wanted the men’s doubles team to be Paes and Bhupathi. Which is the best pair if you look at their past record: they’ve won multiple Grand Slams, haven’t they? But anyone with half a brain would also consider when was the last time they played together? Answer: ages back. Surely, the fact that the two don’t get along (to put it mildly) would have an impact in a team sport, right? Not according to the AITA, it doesn’t.

Well ok, said the AITA. If Paes and Bhupathi refuse to pair up, then it should be Paes and the next highest ranked player. Why? The AITA argument went like this: Paes has the highest men’s doubles ranking; hence he should definitely be part of the men’s doubles team. Really? What if his ranking is what it is because he pairs well with an American or a European partner? What if he has never played with the Indian player they picked? Who cares, said the AITA? We only look at rankings.

In mixed doubles, Bhupathi and Mirza just won the French Open title. Surely that should make them the logical entry. But no. Paes has the highest men’s ranking; Mirza the highest women’s. So they have to be paired, says the AITA.

I think this idiotic mindset of looking at irrelevant stats is hardwired in all Indian sports. Tendulkar has a 100 centuries; so he has to be the opener. Even if he can’t make the most of the fielding restrictions in the first few overs. Tendulkar is a great individual player, so he must be captain they said. What a disastrous stint he had as captain.

When it comes to sports, most Indians only think of individuals. Even in team sports! And they are obsessed with irrelevant stats. They don’t care about winning as a team; they only care about the one guy they like.

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