The Indian tennis team has landed in Islamabad ahead of its Davis Cup clash against Pakistan, marking the end of a 60-year hiatus for Pakistan in hosting its neighbors for this tournament. Scheduled for February 3 and 4, the Davis Cup tie holds significant historical importance as India last visited Pakistan for this event in 1964. Ramkumar Ramanathan will lead the Indian squad, accompanied by N Sriram Balaji, Niki Poonacha, Saketh Myneni, and backup player Digvijay Pratap Singh. The non-playing captain, Zeeshan Ali, took charge after Rohit Rajpal withdrew due to family medical reasons.
This event was initially moved to a neutral venue in Kazakhstan in 2019 due to strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. Despite attempts by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) to relocate the World Group I playoff tie, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tribunal rejected the appeal, resulting in the match being held in Pakistan.
The arrival of the Indian team is not only a significant sports event but also a boost for the tennis community in Pakistan, providing a platform to rejuvenate interest in the sport. Aisam-ul-haq Quereshi, a veteran Pakistani player, expressed his excitement about the upcoming meeting of the two nations on Pakistani soil, emphasizing the positive impact on promoting tennis in the region.
