I will still ask guys like Sumeet or Prajnesh to play with Yuki or RR at some events where they are together, just before the DC. There is a lot of flexibility in orchestrating that, as any number of pairings are possible, with all of them in the challenger rankings range. Somehow I don't think MB subscribes to my thoughts on this, thoug
I am glad that Mahesh doesn't subscribe to this view.
There is a common misconception especially among those who haven't played the game, that all singles players can play good doubles. In reality, it requires both a different skill set and a different game strategy/instinct to do well in doubles.
Yes, many good singles players can make good doubles players if they choose to but not all. For example, among our singles players, I think only Yuki and Saketh likely have a good doubles skill set. I don't think Sumit, RamK, or Prajnesh will be particularly successful as doubles specialists.
Do agree with the part about the players playing together as a factor. An essential part of the doubles game strategy is the coordination on their movement on court of the goal of dominating the net which involves coordination in their movements and playing together certainly helps that. Doubles specialists are often much better than the singles players in their instincts in this aspect even when the raw skill set is similar. For example, if you see Hingis play doubles, you see that is a master of doubles positioning which is what makes as great as she is in doubles even when her raw skill set was declining.