Rohan may get nod as India seek to break Sweden jinx

However, the selectors are pushing for Bopanna’s inclusion at the expense of Mankad. ‘‘Bopanna has been selected ahead of Mankad because the selectors feel he can spring a few surprises’’, AITA’s Anil Khanna said. ‘‘However, it is the captain’s prerogative to decide the final team for the tie.”

He added that the selectors had spoken to Paes in the US and had received his consent.

Of the four rubbers against Sweden, India have hosted two (1985 and 1996), the matches being played on grass; the other two times they were played on clay in Sweden. The lone match in India’s favour was won by Vijay Amritraj in 1985, when he defeated Mats Wilander 8-6, 9-7 in a dead rubber.

The visitors have not yet announced their team and Khanna said that they expect to know it in the next 10 days.

“The probables in the Swedish team are Mats Wilander (non-playing captain), Joachim Johansson, Robin Soderling, Jonas Bjorkman, Thomas Johansson and Michael Ryderstatt,” he said.

Khanna also said that Paes-Bhupathi were the best doubles pair in the country and the Association has no plans of changing the combination for the three years.

“We can’t think of replacing that combination and we also know they are keen to team up for the 2008 Olympics,” he said.