The All India Tennis Affiliation, or AITA, on Saturday, introduced the Indian crew for the nation’s Davis Cup World Cup Group I play-off tie towards Pakistan in Islamabad subsequent 12 months.
With India’s prime singles gamers – Sumit Nagal and Sasi Kumar Mukund – having refused to journey to the neighbouring nation citing totally different causes, the Indian crew for the tie will likely be headlined by the skilled Ramkumar Ramanathan.
Ramkumar is predicted to be accompanied by Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha within the singles fixtures, whereas N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, and Saketh Myneni are anticipated to pair up for doubles matches.
The younger Digvijay Pratap Singh, who made his Davis Cup debut throughout India’s tie towards Morocco, in Lucknow earlier this 12 months, has been named because the reserve participant within the squad.
Rohit Rajpal will proceed to be the non-playing captain of the Indian crew, whereas Zeeshan Ali will don the coach’s cap.
Whereas the AITA has already named a six-member crew, it stays to be seen if the Indian crew will journey to Pakistan for the tie.
The Indian federation had earlier tried to get the tie shifted out of Pakistan with an attraction, however the Davis Cup committee had then rejected their proposal.
The Indian tennis crew final travelled to Pakistan nearly six many years in the past, again in 1964. They’d then defeated the hosts 4-0.
India had been anticipated to journey to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie in 2019, but it surely was finally shifted to Kazakhstan – a impartial venue, following India’s reservations in travelling to the nation.
India has by no means misplaced to Pakistan in Davis Cup historical past, successful every of their earlier eight encounters within the competitors.
The Davis Cup tie is slated to be performed from February 3-4, 2024.
India Tennis squad for Davis Cup tie towards Pakistan
Gamers: Ramkumar Ramanathan, N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Saketh Myneni, Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha
Reserve: Digvijay Pratap Singh
Captain: Rohit Rajpal
Coach: Zeeshan Ali