Rohan Bopanna [ Images ] will have to sustain the high standard of tennis he displayed against Holland if India [ Images ] is to break into the World Group of the Davis Cup, says team captain Ramesh Krishnan.

"Rohan [Bopanna] played one of the best matches but it is a question of playing consistently at that level," Krishnan told PTI from Zwolle after India lost the World Group qualifying tie to hosts The Netherlands 0-5 on Sunday.

It was the fourth consecutive loss for India at the play-off stage, after having lost to Sweden, the US and Australia [ Images ] in previous outings since Krishnan took over as captain in 2000.

"The next tie is five months from now; that is a long time in modern tennis. We have identified the group of players who have shown promise but we have to cash in on that," Krishnan said.

Asked if the play-off has become a sort of jinx for India, Krishnan said, "There are too many ifs and buts."

"First, we have not had a full strength team in the last two years. This time Leander [Paes] was not there, and last year against Australia we did not have Mahesh [Bhupathi]," Krishnan said.

"The draw has been very tough. I think we need to have a full strength team playing at home for us to move up," Krishnan said.

Krishnan said though India did not win a match against the strong Dutch team, "we did have some excitement".

"[Martin] Verkerk was not in good form before the tie, so we eyed our chance there, and Rohan played well above himself.

"The doubles was also well-fought; we were leading in the second set before we lost.

"Ultimately they [Holland] had the depth. Sjeng Schalken is a top-ranked player and they straightaway had two points in the singles.

"So, we had to win the remaining three points which was not going to be easy," he said.