It was something that people dint expect, an Indian and a Pakistani playing together as a doubles team in Tennis. Well, that happened and promptly they lost. It happens with the best of the guys. The guys in question are Rohan Bopanna and Aisam Ul Haq Quereshi. They have started playing together as a doubles team very recently and their first encounter together was the French Open. Unfortunately for them, despite our wishes , they could not match the skills and stamina of the Bryan Brothers, Mike and Bob. They lost in the first round at the French Open in straight sets 1-6, 4-6 in just under an hour.

However this pairing also sets off a train of thoughts. Whenever an Indian and a Pakistani play together , why do we go ga ga about this being a form of people’s diplomacy ? While it certainly introduces a feel good factor, why cant we let these sporting pairing be just that, a matter concerned with sports. Why cant we allow them to play just like any other doubles pair. Do we have to look at everything from the Indo-Pak angle ?