India to play Davis Cup in Pakistan after 55 years
Indian tennis team will play against Pakistan in Davis Cup for the first time since 1964. Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) informed about India’s hosting Asia-Oceania will be played on Grass Court in Islamabad on September 14 and 15, in Group-I. The Indian team defeated Pakistan 4-0 during their last visit in Lahore 55 years. After this the two teams met in 2006. Then in Mumbai, the Indian team won 5-2. India has a record 6-0 against Pak in the Davis Cup.
International Tennis Federation expressed satisfaction over security
PTF President Mohammad Khalid Rahmani said, “The preparations for the tournament have been completed. A team of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) had visited Pakistan earlier this week. That team expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s administrative and security measures. “
Pakistan hosted its other Davis Cup matches in Islamabad in 2017 and 2018, with Uzbekistan, South Korea and Thailand at the same venue. ITF officials said, “Islamabad has always been a safe city, where PTF has not hosted less than five Davis Cup matches in recent times. Hopefully, it will be better in the next match. “
All India Tennis Association’s General Secretary Hiranmoy Chatterjee told an English newspaper, “We are going there. This is the World Cup of tennis, no bilateral series. Therefore, there is no restriction in playing and going anywhere. The team will be announced later. It will be based on the rankings. The team that wins this match will reach the World Group playoff.”
Indian Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi and coach Zeeshan Ali singles could include top-3 Indian players Prajnesh Gunneswaran (88th rank), Ramkumar Ramanathan (185th rank) and Sumit Nagal (207th rank) in the team. In doubles, Rohan Bopanna (45th rank) and Divij Sharan (ranked 46) could represent India..
