Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: December 17, 2023, 15:33 IST
Indian David Cup group captain Rohit Rajpal (AITA)
Rohit Rajpal would be the non-enjoying captain for India and Zeeshan Ali will function the coach.
Ramkumar Ramanathan was on Sunday named in a 5-member squad for the grass courtroom problem in opposition to Pakistan — a transparent signal that an Indian Davis Cup facet is making ready to play on Pakistan soil for the primary time in 60 years whilst AITA awaits ITF tribunal’s determination on its enchantment in opposition to journey to neighbouring nation on safety considerations.
India final travelled to Pakistan method again in 1964 once they beat the hosts 4-0. India have by no means misplaced to Pakistan within the Davis Cup competitors in eight ties in opposition to one another.
Ramkumar, whose serve and volley sport fashion fits the grass floor, will lead the squad that features N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha and Saketh Myneni as All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Sunday named the group for the February 3-4 World Group I play-off tie.
The group has solely Ramkumar and 2019 nationwide champion as singles gamers whereas the three others now play solely doubles on the ATP Tour.
It won’t be a shock if captain Rohit Rajpal asks Bhambri to play the singles. Balaji may also be requested to play one of many singles.
Digvijay Pratap Singh, who made his debut in opposition to Morocco in India’s final Davis Cup project in Lucknow in September, has been named as a reserve participant within the squad.
India’s high gamers Sumit Nagal and Sasikumar Mukund have pulled out of the tie, the place the successful group will guarantee its keep in World Group I for the remainder of the 2024 season.
India had requested ITF to relocate the tie to a impartial venue however the ITF Davis Cup Committee had rejected the enchantment.
“We have appealed against the Davis Cup committee decision and a final call will be taken by the ITF tribunal on December 19. If the tribunal also rejects the appeal we will then travel to Pakistan,” AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar advised PTI.
Asked if the federal government will grant the Indian squad permission to journey to Pakistan, Dhupar stated,”It’s a World Cup of tennis and the federal government is prone to permit journey on this case.”
“Only one month is left for the tie and the selected players need to know the schedule so that they can plan their ATP engagements, that’s why we have announced the team. Whether we are asked by ITF to travel to Pakistan or we go to a neutral venue is a different matter, the team had to be picked.”
India have been drawn to fulfill Pakistan in Pakistan in 2019 additionally however the ITF had moved the tie to Kazakshtan on AITA’s request and India emerged winner with an emphatic 4-0 margin.
Pakistan’s high gamers had then pulled out of the tie in protest in opposition to AITA’s determination to not journey to their nation. Pakistan fielded rookie gamers who have been no match to India’s robust group.
The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has already made it clear that it’s going to not subject its group if the ITF decides to shift the tie to a impartial venue once more.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – PTI)
