India’s Davis Cup hopes have been dealt a blow with the absence of top players Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri for the upcoming World Group tie against Sweden. Captain Rohit Rajpal expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that Nagal’s presence would have given India an edge.
Rajpal believes that the tie is now evenly matched, with both teams possessing strong doubles teams. He praised the experience of Ramkumar Ramanathan but noted his recent lack of form. The captain emphasized the importance of keeping players fresh for the match days and revealed that they would be training for singles.
Rajpal highlighted the indoor hard court conditions in Stockholm, which favor low bounce and medium pace. He pointed out that the Swedish team would have home advantage, with former world No. 1 Bjorn Borg’s son, Leo, now the No. 2 player.
Despite the challenges, Rajpal remains optimistic about India’s chances. He believes that the team can rise to the occasion and clinch the tie. The match is expected to be broadcast live on television, including efforts to secure coverage on Doordarshan.
