indian-davis-cup-squad-commences-training-ahead-of-pakistan-tie

Battling the chilly conditions, the Indian Davis Cup team has initiated its preparatory camp for the upcoming grass court tie against Pakistan. The team, facing the challenge of identifying a second singles player due to the absence of top-ranked Indian Sumit Nagal, began its training amidst the withdrawal of Nagal (ranked 137) and Sasikumar Mukund (ranked 463) from the February 3-4 tie in Islamabad.

 

With Nagal and Mukund opting out, Ramkumar Ramanathan stands as the sole singles specialist player in the team. Captain Rohit Rajpal now faces the decision of selecting either Yuki Bhambri or N Sriram Balaji for the second singles spot. 

 

Bhambri, positioned at 61 in the ATP doubles list, is the team’s highest-ranked player and is set to play the doubles rubber as well. Notably, veteran Rohan Bopanna, India’s premier doubles player, has retired from Davis Cup competition.

 

While Niki Poonacha remains an option, his lower ranking at 783 may lead the team to refrain from fielding him in singles. Bhambri and Balaji, who recently concluded their stint at the Australian Open, took a day off before joining the camp.

 

During a light session lasting two and a half hours, Ramkumar, Poonacha, and Saketh Myneni were joined by hitting partners Udit Kamboj and Maan Kesarwani from the National Tennis Centre (NTC) to facilitate warm-up exercises.

 

Captain Rajpal outlined the importance of adapting to the grass court dynamics, emphasizing the specific demands it places on players, including short sprints to the net, serve and volley strategies, and rapid changes in momentum.

 

A decision on the second singles player is expected in the coming days, taking into account the players' performance on grass. Coach Zeeshan Ali highlighted the challenges posed by the grass surface, emphasizing the need for acclimatization due to the lower bounce and increased speed. The training camp is designed to address these nuances, ensuring the squad is well-prepared for the tie against Pakistan.

 

As the team readies itself for the grass court challenge, the coaching staff acknowledges the need for meticulous preparation, given Pakistan's proficiency on this surface and their ability to apply pressure through net charges. 

 

The camp aims to fine-tune strategies and drills tailored to the unique characteristics of grass courts, emphasizing movement and adaptability.