'India needs a top-100 player'

Former National champion and now team coach, Nandan Bal says India needs to have at least one singles player in the top-100 to make a dent in the Davis Cup draw.

India, who lost in round one of the Asia-Oceania Zone to Korea earlier this year, have not been able to break into the World Group since 1998.

"All the teams who are doing well in the Davis Cup have one very good singles player. We also featured regularly in the World Group in the 90s because Leander (Paes) was at that level; he was a top-100 player," said Bal, after joining the team on Thursday ahead of the tie against Pakistan, from April 7-9.

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"Even if you take top teams in Asia, like Thailand and Korea, they have one good singles player. Thailand has Paradorn Srichaphan and even the other guy (Danai) Udomchoke is doing well. And Korea, especially at home, have always been a tough team to beat. So it is very competitive in the Asia-Oceania zone itself," he said.

"Having said that, Rohan (Bopanna) and Prakash (Amritraj) are working hard on getting their rankings up. Already from 300-350 last year, they have climbed up to the 230s. Also Karan (Rastogi) in hot on their heels; he's showed the biggest improvement.

"Players like Sanam Singh, Tushar Liberhan and Jeevan (Nedunchezian) will be ready in another three-four years."

While Bal may present a rosy picture ahead, Indian tennis seems caught at the barren crossroads of a rich history and promising future.

Captain Leander Paes, by saying that he will consider playing at least one of the singles rubbers against Pakistan, has further allayed the singles worries.

Over the last few years India have worn an unsettled look. They have tried out Amritraj, Bopanna, Syed Fazaluddin, Harsh Mankad and Vishal Uppal and yet don't have an easy answer to the solution.

"Leander is keen to play in the singles. He is a proven performer on grass," said Bal of the Paes's decision to play singles against a team, which would rely heavily on their number one player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi to take them through.

Qureshi has beaten all the Indian players in contention for the singles spot, including Paes. Though he will be coming off an injury lay-off, the 26-year-old has a terrific record in the Davis Cup. He single-handedly took Pakistan to the World Group Play-offs last year, in a campaign that included a upset win over Thailand. Qureshi beat Srichaphan in four sets to clinch a 3-1 lead.

"Aisam is a smart grass-court player. He has some good wins under his belt and will have to carry the burden in India.

"But most of our guys are confident of doing well against Aqeel. And as far as I can see, Leander and Mahesh are untouchable in doubles, at least for the next three years on any surface."

India's coach added that he'll be counting on the support of home fans and experience of his players, which should give his team a huge advantage over Pakistan.