Setting it up for Big League

Ten wins, 10 matches and a cent per cent record in the last two ties with just two sets conceded. This Indian Davis Cup team is well and tru...

Ten wins, 10 matches and a cent per cent record in the last two ties with just two sets conceded. This Indian Davis Cup team is well and truly on way to regaining its place in the World Group.

With Harsh Mankad8217;s win over Murad Inoyatov of Uzbekistan in the last singles match here, India have stormed into the World Group play-offs with a 5-0 score line. Earlier, Prakash Amritraj beat Farrukh Dustov 6-7 4-7, 6-4, 6-2.

India seem ready for the big league, despite being out of the elite group for almost seven years now. In fact, the last time India played in the World Group was way back in 1998 when they lost to Italy in the first round. That, interestingly, was when Mahesh Bhupathi made one of his few singles appearances in a Cup tie and won against Davide Sanguinetti with Leander Paes out of the squad. Jaidip Mukerjea was the team captain then.

So, it comes as no surprise that Paes is looking forward to the play-offs. 8216;8216;This is now the nucleus of our Davis Cup team. It is good that we have a few months8217; time before the play-offs and we will be looking to improve our game, fitness, and be ready when the big matches arrive,8217;8217; he said.

No doubt, India have a set of players who can be handy enough for some of the teams. But their real test will come when they take on teams like Chile, Switzerland, Sweden, Great Britain and the US in the play-offs.

Prakash Amritaj is definitely one of the brightest prospects. He has the Anritraj pedigree and the game to come out a winner. More than that, he has the advantage of a legendary father egging him on at the best facilities available in the US.

Though he still has some problems with his returns and, at times, appears undecided in the early stages of the match, he has the knack to recover from some real spots. 8216;8216;Today8217;s win was an important mental achievement for Prakash,8217;8217; Leander said after the match. 8216;8216;He ensured that his mind won over his body.8217;8217;

Story continues below this ad

On the other hand, Harsh is the perennial talented guy who can beat the best on his day. He was playing a dead rubber on the day but his game was not dead. The only thing missing on the day was an opponent who could bring out his full potential.

To be honest, China and Uzbekistan may not be the perfect teams to assess a team8217;s full potential. But that can8217;t take anything away from the Indians, who have come out with full points in the tie. 8216;8216;Uzbekistan is not easy, believe me,8217;8217; Leander said. 8216;8216;Give them half a chance and they will be on top of you. It happened with Prakash early on today. So it was very important to remain in control throughout,8217;8217; he added.

Paes has tried to bring a team culture into this bunch of players, including himself and Mahesh Bhupathi, so that all of them perform together as a team. And that augurs well for Team India as it eyes a place in the Elite Group.