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Davis Cup: Ramkumar to guide Indian problem in opposition to Pakistan on grass courts
{Photograph}: Sort Courtesy Ramkumar Ramanathan/X
Ramkumar Ramanathan was on Sunday named in a five-member squad for the grass court docket problem in opposition to Pakistan — a transparent signal that an Indian Davis Cup aspect is making ready to play on Pakistan soil for the primary time in 60 years at the same time as AITA awaits ITF tribunal’s resolution on its enchantment in opposition to journey to neighbouring nation on safety issues.
India final travelled to Pakistan approach 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 type fits the grass floor, will lead the squad that features N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha and Saketh Myneni as All India Tennis Affiliation (AITA) on Sunday named the workforce for the February 3-4 World Group I play-off tie.
The workforce 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 can 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 prime gamers Sumit Nagal and Sasikumar Mukund have pulled out of the tie, the place the profitable workforce 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 now appealed in opposition to the Davis Cup committee resolution and a closing name will probably be taken by the ITF tribunal on December 19. If the tribunal additionally rejects the enchantment we’ll then journey to Pakistan,” AITA Secretary Normal Anil Dhupar instructed PTI.
Requested if the federal government will grant the Indian squad permission to journey to Pakistan, Dhupar stated, “It is a World Cup of tennis and the federal government is more likely to permit journey on this case.”
“Just one month is left for the tie and the chosen gamers must know the schedule in order that they’ll plan their ATP engagements, that is why we’ve introduced the workforce. Whether or not we’re requested by ITF to journey to Pakistan or we go to a impartial venue is a distinct matter, the workforce needed to be picked.”
India had been drawn to satisfy 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 prime gamers had then pulled out of the tie in protest in opposition to AITA’s resolution to not journey to their nation. Pakistan fielded rookie gamers who had been no match to India’s sturdy workforce.
The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has already made it clear that it’ll not area its workforce if the ITF decides to shift the tie to a impartial venue once more.
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