Manas Dhamne has earned his maiden call-up to India’s main Davis Cup squad, with the 19-year-old joining the team for the crucial Qualifiers Round 2 tie against South Korea in Seoul on September 18-19.
World No. 362 Dhamne is the only major addition to the squad that produced India’s historic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in Bengaluru in February. Sumit Nagal, Dhakshineswar Suresh, Yuki Bhambri and N Sriram Balaji have retained their places.
Dhamne, India’s No. 2-ranked singles player, joins Nagal (No. 235) and Dhakshineswar (No. 393) in the singles group, while Bhambri (No. 28) and Balaji (No. 57) remain India’s doubles pairing.
Sidharth Rawat and promising junior Arnav Paparkar have been named as reserves.
“Most players selected themselves. Manas was not available for the previous tie, this time he was. While he is in the main squad, the captain will decide if he suits the conditions or the other singles players. Arnav is in side as we need to groom the future generation,” a selection committee member told PTI.
Dhamne Gets Senior Opportunity
The 19-year-old has steadily established himself among India’s leading young tennis players and had been knocking on the doors of the senior Davis Cup team.
His inclusion gives India another singles option ahead of the hard-court contest in Seoul, although the captain will decide whether Dhamne features in the playing combination.
His elevation also reflects India’s desire to develop its next generation while maintaining the core that delivered a landmark result earlier this year.
Dhakshineswar Emerges As Key Player
Dhakshineswar Suresh has retained his place after producing a remarkable performance against the Netherlands.
The 26-year-old won both his singles rubbers and also partnered Bhambri to victory in the doubles, contributing to all three of India’s wins in the tie.
He defeated world No. 88 Jesper de Jong in straight sets before returning to the court to help Bhambri secure the doubles victory.
His biggest moment came in the deciding fifth rubber, when he defeated world No. 162 Guy Den Ouden 6-4, 7-6(4) to seal India’s 3-2 triumph.
The result was particularly significant as the Netherlands were ranked sixth in the Davis Cup standings.
India Eye Final Eight Spot
India’s victory over the Netherlands took them into the second round of the Qualifiers for the first time since the Davis Cup format was revamped in 2019.
South Korea also advanced after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Argentina in Busan. The Koreans recovered from a 1-2 deficit, with Soonwoo Kwon and former Australian Open semifinalist Hyeon Chung winning the decisive singles rubbers.
The winner of the Seoul tie will qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna in November.
India will therefore be bidding for a place at the elite stage of the competition for the first time under the current format.
India’s Davis Cup Squad
Singles: Sumit Nagal, Dhakshineswar Suresh, Manas Dhamne
Doubles: Yuki Bhambri, N Sriram Balaji
Reserves: Arnav Paparkar, Sidharth Rawat
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