Davis Cup 2019: No room for excuse says India’s non playing captain Mahesh Bhupati

XtraTime Web Desk: India to host the Davis Cup and enjoy the home advantage and the X- factor of Calcutta South Club grass courts as India’s non playing skipper Mahesh Bhupati said there is no room for any excuses anymore in the Davis Cup Qualifier against Italy in two days.

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India, the three time Devis Cup runners–up lost in the play offs to Serbia away in the last year. India were drawn to play against Italy at home in the Qualifiers in their bid for a coveted place in November’s 18-team Finals in Madrid.

Italy, who had lost to France in the World Group quarters, will have the unfamiliarity of grass courts, something the hosts are looking to capitalise on in their bid

“We definitely felt that this is our best chance to beat Italy on grass and not on hard or clay because of their strengths,” Bhupathi told reporters, on the eve of their draw for the Friday-Saturday fixtures.

“We will know about that on Saturday if the advantage played out for us or not. So we’ve got the grass now I don’t think we have any room for excuses anymore.”

Contrary to widespread criticisms all over the world over the new format, Bhupathi is excited the shortened structure would give them an edge over Italy who are ranked 10th, nine places above India.

“When you’re trying to beat players who are better than you it’s always easier to do it in two sets rather than three out of five. So, when it comes to playing big teams who are constantly in the world group, I think this change in format is great for the Indian team.”

He further said they may start as underdogs but they are confident of upsetting Italy to do an encore of Vijay Amritraj and Co at the same venue in the World Group first round in 1985.

“Internally within the 10 of us I think the conversation has never changed. There is a belief that everyone can contribute to hopefully upset the Italians,” he said of their opponents who lead 4-1 head-to-head.

“But you know, when we keep referring to the word ‘underdogs’ it’s just you know what’s put on the statistics and on paper and on the current rankings.

“That’s how sport is. When a team is playing another team in any sport, one team is underdogs one team is favorites. We are going in as underdogs, that’s the bottom line.”

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