Prakash singled out

It is the X-factor that seems to have rolled the dice in Somdev Dev Varman’s favour.

It is the X-factor that seems to have rolled the dice in Somdev Dev Varman’s favour. At least, that’s the impression Indian captain Leander Paes gave at today’s draw ceremony for the Davis Cup.

Prakash Amritraj, with his undoubted skills on grass, will not be part of the first-day action, his uncertain fitness making way for the 22-year-old instead, who was the last to join the team’s preparations for the tie against Uzbekistan. Nevertheless, his late arrival does not overshadow the fact that he does have a lot more matches under his belt than the rest of his teammates.

“The X-factor is in our favour. Somdev is the fittest boy on my team, and his attributes as a player are very good. His college regime has made him more of an athlete than the kinds we have in India. We often see lack of professionalism in nurturing talent here, but he is clearly one of the brightest prospects for the future. I have been keeping track of the way he’s been playing for the last six months, and he deserves this chance.

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“I would rather put an X-factor who is an athlete out on court; it gives us an advantage. The Uzbeks don’t know anything about him, and he has nothing to lose. The whole team is behind him. This is the best side we could put up on the first day,” said Paes, explaining why he made the decision.

“Considering Prakash’s physical condition, he does need an extra day or two to recover. I spoke to him about this yesterday. As a captain, I have to look at the situation in totality,” he added.

Interestingly, Prakash has been named to be Mahesh Bhupathi’s doubles partner on Day Two. “Playing doubles would give him a chance to regain his rhythm. Mahesh played doubles with Prakash in practice yesterday; in fact, we have many doubles combinations possible,” said Paes.

The player, on his part, added his voice to support his captain, “Lee has been making decisions for a long time now, and if he feels this is the best way to go, I’m a hundred per cent in support of him,” said Prakash.

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To the youngster at the centre of all attention today, his impending Davis Cup debut against Uzbekistan’s number one player is a chance he must grab with both hands. With both Istomin and Varman being baseliners, it could be a slugfest on grass.

“Pressure is an opportunity, and I am looking forward to playing. I have always wanted to play for my country. It’ll be good to be out on court after Rohan plays the first match, and with Leander and Mahesh at my side, it always helps. In my match with Istomin, you may see longer rallies than normal, and a different style of play,” said Somdev.

Order of play (beginning at 10 am)

1. Rohan Bopanna vs Farrukh Dustov

2. Somdev Dev Varman vs Denis Istomin

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