India vs Pakistan Davis Cup: 'Can't Write Off Pak', Says Vishnu Vardhan

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Asian Games medalist Vishnu Vardhan reckoned that veteran Pakistan tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Quereshi will make the difference in the upcoming Davis Cup clash against India.

The Indian tennis team is currently gearing up for the World Group I playoff fixture on the grass courts in Islamabad. The team event will take place on Saturday (February 3) and Sunday (February 4) at the Pakistan Sports Complex.

The last time the two teams faced one other in a Davis Cup tie in Kazakhstan in 2019, India eased past their neighbours 3-0. It should be noted that Pakistan’s two iconic players - Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan - boycotted that clash as a protest against shifting the tie from Pakistan.

However, with International Tennis Federation (ITF) ensuring this time Pakistan gets it's due to host the Davis Cup tie, the Indian team travels to the neighbouring country for the first time since 1964.

Vishnu Vardhan, who has been part of the Indian team’s Davis Cup squad previously, believes India has the quality on their side but Pakistan will ride on the experience of their two 40-plus campaigners

“Over here (in Islamabad) you are playing against Aisam-ul-Haq Quereshi and Aqeel Khan, who are legendary Pakistan tennis players in Davis Cup. They have very good experience of playing Davis Cup, especially in their country. So I will particularly not write off this particular (Pakistan) team,” Visnu told myKhel.

“Maybe in terms of rankings both the players do not have singles international rankings at all. But they know how to play in these conditions. They have been preparing for almost two months for this particular tie. They are excited and particularly pumped for this two-day tie.”

India will play their first Davis Cup tie after senior player Rohan Bopanna’s retirement in Lucknow last year. Additionally, top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal and Mukund Sasikumar made themselves unavailable citing personal reasons. The onus will be on Ramkumar Ramanathan, India’s second best-ranked singles at 461, to lead the charge.

Yuki Bhambri, N Sriram Balaji, Saketh Myneni, and debutant Nikki Poonacha complete the five-member Indian squad. Aisam, who plays doubles frequently on ATP tours, will play singles on the opening day against Ramkumar to spearhead Pakistan’s challenge. He will face N.Sriram Balaji on the following day for the potential decider.

Vishnu said that Indian players have been in good touch in their respective last competitions but coming up against someone of Aisam’s stature means patience plays a key role here, especially when the 43-year-old Pakistan tennis stalwart has a penchant to play on grass fields.

“In terms of game style and current form, the Indian team is looking really good. The Indian team has the young blood and the rankings. Everything is there on the favour of the Indian team but Aisam is such an experienced player and he keeps himself really fit even though he is 40-plus-old. He takes really good care of his body,” Vishnu said.

"He’s been in top 100 in the singles in the past. His favourtie surface is grass and he has a complete serve in volley game which will definitely suit the conditions they are going to put on. The only advise I will give to our singles players is that you have to be really patient when you’re playing against him,” he added.

The Hyderbad-born Olympian Vishnu further advised Indian players to capitilise the most when they have the opportunity against Aisam else the latter will claw back his way in the game using his wealth of experience. He also noted that India have an advantage over Pakistan because of the familiarity of opponents.

“For them (Pakistan) the element of surprise is there. As all the five players in the Indian team are good enough to play the singles for us. They really don’t know which player the captain is going to field on a particular day. So that element of surprise will definitely be working to our favour,” Vishnu mentioned.

The Indian tennis team will play their first Davis Cup match in Pakistan after 60 years. The last match between the two bitter neighbours was played in 1964.

The India vs Pakistan Davis Cup in Islamabad is earmarked to be a new dawn to lift Pakistan tennis after the country has hold a few Davis Cup matches in the last five years even when not major international tournaments are happening. Vishnu feels this tie will revive the tennis community in Pakistan and inspire the next lot to take notice of the sport.

“This is one of the most important reasons they wanted to have this tie. If they have a big event like Davis Cup in Pakistan….. They were hosting a lot of international events in the past but now they don’t have a lot of support from the International Tennis Federation as well. They haven’t had an event of this magnitude will give confidence to the ITF as well that Pakistan can host events with a safe zone because cities are really good,” he said.

“Locally as players, I know Aisam is doing a lot of grassroot initiative over there in Pakistan for the young players. Apart from Aisam and Aqeel, they really don’t have the next generation of players. They are forced to play Davis Cup even now in their 40s, which isn’t an ideal situation for Pakistan tennis,” Vishnu concluded.