Davis Cup: Anand Amritraj confident team will deliver against New Zealand

Pune: India's non-playing captain Anand Amritraj was upbeat ahead of the Asia Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie against New Zealand, to be played here from February 3 to 5, but cautioned the Kiwis should not be taken lightly.

Speaking at the pre-draw press conference, Amritraj, who will be leading the side for the last time said; "Obviously I would like to leave with a win. So I am quite optimistic about it (the tie)."

"The team is playing well. We are not taking these guys (New Zealand) lightly though. I know how tough these guys are. I know how tough they were in 2015 when we last played them in Christchurch. So we know what they are when they play in Davis Cup. So we are going to play one match at a time and hope for the best," said Amritraj.

The pre-draw press conference was also attended by Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Saketh Myneni and coach Zeeshan Ali.

Amritraj felt that the three youngsters in the team have huge potential.

"All these three boys are capable of getting into the Top 100 and then you will have whole different perspective of the game," he said.

Bhambri, ranked ranked 378, said he was happy to be back in the team after being forced out against the World Group play-off tie against Spain at Delhi in September last due to an injury.

"I am making a comeback from injury. I missed being part of the team last year and I am happy to be back. It is hard to watch from sidelines sitting at home and not do a bit for my country," he said.

"I feel I am at my best now and I feel good. I have had good tough matches recently and that should help this weekend," he added.

Looking ahead to the tie, Saketh Myneni, world ranked No. 199 in the singles, echoed his sentiments saying: "It is always an honour to play for the country."

The tie, to be played at the Balewadi Sports Complex, will see Puneites witnessing a Davis Cup tie after a gap of over four decades.

The last Davis tie, between India and Russia, was held at the Deccan Gymkhana in the city centre in 1974.

Amritraj said the think tank had not decided on the doubles combination as yet and a call will be taken about the partner for veteran Leander Paes after the first day's singles matches.

"At this time we've not decided anything...not the singles, definitely not the doubles. Doubles pairing we will decide on Friday night after two singles matches. It all depends on how Friday's matches go," he said.

"For last three years we were lucky to have two guys play singles and two to play doubles. It's been easy. Here it is little bit more complicated. Though I don't think it makes any big difference when you play Davis Cup.

"It all comes to what you do in three hours on court out there. You have to go out there and give it the best shot. Play the heart out and compete and win five set match. Here in Davis Cup it is more guts and tennis. If you saw (Roger) Federer-(Rafael) Nadal match (Australian Open), both semis and final.

"It is all about putting it all out there and staying with it. I would like to pick the best two singles players who can perform at his best under these conditions and best doubles team to give us the best options," Amritraj said.

"Obviously we'd like to win 3-0 but it's going to be difficult against this team (New Zealand)," he added.