Somdev Varman the big surprise

Followers of the sport in this eastern metropolis would recall Varman winning the ITF Futures on clay at the Saturday Club in 2004. The youngster then moved off to the US on a tennis scholarship.

Commenting on Varman8217;s inclusion in the team, All India Tennis Association AITA secretary Anil Khanna said: 8220;Obviously, the selection committee and the captain Leander Paes think he8217;s a good player. Somdev won a Futures event at Kolkata. In the US he finished runners-up in singles at the inter-university level and was given a wild card into an ATP event for his efforts.

8220;The university level there is tough and he made the finals, which is a great achievement. Recently, he won a doubles title at a Futures meet in Florida and reached the quarters in singles.8221;

Talking about the youngster8217;s game, Khanna said he hadn8217;t seen much of the player of late, before adding: 8220;He8217;s a tall chap, a tough kid. He serves well. And he8217;s done well both in singles and doubles, so that gives the captain more options to choose from.8221;

Former Davis Cupper Jaidip Mukerjea, who organised the Futures meet at the Saturday Club in 2004, said Varman8217;s inclusion was 8220;a good choice.8221; Said Mukerjea: 8220;After Karan Rastogi, he8217;s our best player on clay. He8217;s physically a very strong guy. They8217;ve made a good choice by including him in the team.8221;