Davis Cup: A Swedish trial awaits India in the World Group I

India will take on hosts Sweden in the Davis Cup World Group I contest starting September 14 knowing fully well that they have never beaten the Scandinavians before.

And the task for India just got harder with Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri missing out on the tie.

That said, in what is their sixth attempt to turn the tables on Sweden, India will look to work with what they have.

India's work cut out

On day-one, Sriram Balaji will open proceedings in the singles against Elias Ymer (ranked 238 in the world) while Ramkumar Ramanathan will take on Leo Borg (ranked 603).

Incidentally, Leo is the son of the 11-time Grand Slam champion and former world number 1 Björn Borg.

On day-two Sriram Balaji with team up with Ramkumar Ramanathan in the doubles fixture against the Swedish pair of Filip Bergevi (ranked 125) and Andre Goransson (ranked 66).

What is at stake for India

Every Davis Cup tie matters and at stake for India is a spot in next year’s qualifiers.

The vanquished, meanwhile, will be relegated to the World Group I playoffs.

Ahead of the tie, Indian Captain Rohit Rajpal hinted that his team will play to their strengths.

“Both ram and Balaji are great net players. They have great serves and love to get in and volley. We want to take all the pressure to them. They have to do a lot to pass these guys, they’re tall and big guys and have good reach. The idea is to take the pressure to them.”

The squads

India: Ramkumar Ramanathan, Siddharth Vishwakarma, Aryan Shah, Nikki K Poonacha, N Sriram Balaji

Non-Playing Captain: Rohit Rajpal

Sweden: Elias Ymer, Leo Borg, Adam Heinonen, Andre Goransson, Filip Bergevi

Non-Playing Captain: Simon Aspelin

Where to watch

The Sweden-India Davis Cup World Group I tie will be broadcast live on SonyLiv.