Mankad returns to Davis Cup squad

The Indian Davis Cup team appears to be working in tandem on one front at the very least 8212; keeping mum about all off-court issues as they prepare for next week8217;s tie against Japan. Prakash Amritraj was the first member to roll into town and he had a quick practice session at the DLTA this afternoon. 8220;I would prefer to talk only after the whole team arrives by Monday. But it8217;s nice to be back; it feels like home,8221; he said.

Meanwhile, Harsh Mankad has made his way back into the Indian team after a title-winning performance at the 10,000 ITF Futures in Chandigarh. All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna said: 8220;Harsh has been playing good tennis; I watched his semi-final yesterday and he was superb. We had not yet decided on a fifth member for the team so I felt he would be a good pick.8221;

Harsh did not have to whip a single forehand past his opponent in the final, as top seed Rohan Bopanna withdrew from the match before it began. The Davis Cupper insists it is not serious saying, 8220;I pulled out as a precaution. I could feel a slight inflammation in my knee.8221;