Davis Cup Tennis: Ramkumar to lead India’s grass field match against Pakistan!

Ramkumar Ramanathan has been named in the five-man squad for Sunday’s grass-field game against Pakistan, a clear sign that India’s Davis Cup team is preparing to play on Pakistani soil for the first time in 60 years. AITA is awaiting a decision from the ITF tribunal regarding his appeal against travelling to a neighbouring country for security reasons.

India last visited Pakistan in 1964, when they defeated the hosts 4-0. India have never lost in a Davis Cup competition in eight matches against Pakistan. Ramkumar, whose serving and volleying style suits the grass, will lead the team comprising N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha and Saketh Myneni, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) announced on Sunday.

February 3rd draw for the play-offs of the 4th World Group I. The team now only consists of Ramkumar and the 2019 national singles champion, while the other three only play doubles on the ATP Tour. It will not be a surprise if Rohit Rajpal asks Bhambri to play singles. Balaji may also be asked to perform one of the singles. Digvijay Pratap Singh, who made his debut in India’s last Davis Cup match against Morocco in Lucknow in September, has been called up as a reserve player.

India’s top players, Sumit Nagal and Sasikumar Mukund, have withdrawn from the game in which the winning team would have secured their stay in World Group I until the end of the 2024 season. India petitioned the ITF to move the match to a neutral venue, but the ITF Davis Cup Committee rejected the appeal.