We still have a lot to learn: Kirtane

It was a best-ever eighth place finish for India8217;s junior Davis Cup squad. But according to coach Sandeep Kirtane, it was 8216;8216;an experience where limitations surfaced despite putting our best foot forward8217;8217;. 8216;8216;We8217;ve got a lot to learn,8217;8217; Kirtane conceded after his team of Rupesh Roy, Sanam Singh and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan lost to Australia 1-2 in the playoff for the seventh place.

For Kirtane, the performance was a mix of positives and negatives. Having lost three encounters Czech Republic group stage, Argentina and Australia on the trot, Kirtane believes 8216;8216;we had our chances8217;8217;. 8216;8216;The boys proved they can compete at this level and were no pushovers8217;8217;.

According to him, the big problem was 8216;8216;getting used to the spin factor at this level. The boys were unable to sustain the consistency in long periods, especially against the Europeans who play with a lot of spin on the clay-courts.

Picking favourites, Kirtane says, Jeevan was 8216;8216;undoubtedly the best of the lot8217;8217;. Asked to pick the pros and cons of the three, he says, 8216;8216;Jeevan was agressive and quick to adapt, but rushed often at crutial junctures; Rupesh is talented but needs to analysie his game while on-court; and Sanam was impressive, and became a handy player quickly.8217;8217;