The Paes-Bhupathi doubles partnership can lay claim to having provided a sense of security for most Davis Cup battles in the past. After all, the sheer class of the formidable duo led many to assume, even before any tie got underway, that at least one point was already in the bag. For February’s tie against Uzbekistan, though, the assurance seems to be on shaky ground. A ligament injury has led to the ‘non-playing captain’ label being put against Leander Paes’ name, and the doubles combination is now another decision that has to be taken before action at the DLTA grasscourts begins next month.It will also be the first time Bhupathi will play under non-playing skipper Paes when the two are not the doubles pair.It is a squad with a distinctly singles flavour that will wear the India shirts in this Asia/Oceania Group 1 first round clash. Rohan Bopanna, who stamped his doubles credentials with a victory over Paes and Paul Hanley at the Australian Open, Somdev Dev Varman, who won his first ITF title abroad just last week, and comeback man Prakash Amritraj, who narrowly missed out at qualification for the year’s first Grand Slam.Currently getting some more matches under his belt in a couple of Futures tournaments, Prakash admits he was expecting the duty call. “I’ve been playing good, and I did think I would be in the squad. My wrist has healed completely, that was my first surgery last year, and I’m happy I’m getting back into form,” said Prakash, speaking to The Indian Express from China.The 24-year-old had match points before getting to the second round of the Chennai Open earlier this year, and fell at the final qualification hurdle Down Under. “It was good to get match practice. The most important thing is the level I’m playing at. Against Gremelmayr in Melbourne, I got off to a slow start, and I couldn’t really fight back. It was unfortunate, but I’m definitely getting to that level,” he added.With a look ahead at the Davis Cup tie, the Los Angeles-based player seemed to be up for the challenge. “I am up for both the singles and doubles, even though it is just the singles Rohan and I have been playing for the last few ties. Since Leander may not play, there are a few doubles combinations that can work out—Mahesh-Rohan, Mahesh and me, or Rohan and me. I will be ready. “I have a good record at home, and I am looking forward to the tie,” said Prakash.Akhtar Ali, former Davis Cupper and member of the selection committe feels the doubles selection is simple. “Mahesh and Rohan will be playing doubles; that looks like the best decision to me. I don’ t think Leander will be fit by the time the tie comes around,” he added.The final call, though, is up to the captain. “The decision is up to Leander. He will decide if he is fit or not,” said AITA general secretary Anil Khanna. “The focus is definitely on the singles, and strong singles players have been chosen. That is the area we as a tennis-playing nation have to improve,” he added.National hardcourt champion Ashutosh Singh and national grasscourt champion Vishnu Vardhan will also be joining the team. Nandan Bal will be the team coach.The Uzbekistan team comprises of Farrukh Dustov and Denis Istomin. Istomin, currently ranked 216th, had stretched Lleyton Hewitt to four sets before bowing out in the second round of Australian Open. Dustov’s rank is 255.
