Uppal, Ghouse for camp

New Delhi, Jan 24: A Pre-Davis Cup camp to be held in New Delhi on January 29 and 30 will have two extra faces in Vishaal Uppal and Mustafa Ghouse, who will be the practice partners for the main team, comprising Leander Paes, Prahlad Srinath, Syed Fazaluddin and Sunil Kumar. The 19-year-old Ghouse, who is the reserve player for the squad and Delhi-based Uppal, will accompany the team to Lucknow for the tie against Lebanon from February 4-6. The team will leave Delhi on January 30 night or 31st morning.

According to Shyam Minotra, head of the selection committee, the idea to have practice partners came from non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan during discussions. As of now, the others accompanying the team are Dr Vece Paes and trainer Sanjay Singh. Krishnan also added the main reason of holding the camp in Delhi, in addition to it being close to Lucknow, was also because it would give him a chance to speak to the All India Tennis Association (AITA).

“I have not yet had a chance to speak to the AITA and talk about various things with them since my appointment. This will give me a chance to get in touch with them,” said Krishnan, adding he would be in Delhi soon.