India’s top two singles players, Sumit Nagal and Sasi Kumar Mukund, have informed the All India Tennis Association (AITA) that they will not be traveling to Pakistan for the upcoming Davis Cup tie. Nagal, ranked number 141 in the ATP chart, expressed that grass courts are not his preferred surface, while Mukund cited personal reasons for his unavailability. The AITA is surprised by the players’ refusal and plans to discuss the matter in its next Executive Committee meeting.

Without Nagal and Mukund, India’s challenge in the tie will be led by Ramkumar Ramanathan, who is known for his ‘serve and volley’ style of play. Digvijay Pratap Singh, who made his Davis Cup debut against Morocco in September, is another option for India. However, the absence of the top-ranked singles player Nagal may affect India’s chances in the tie.

The AITA Secretary General expressed disappointment with the players’ decision and emphasized the importance of national duty. He mentioned that if a player is sick or injured, he can understand, but this is not the first time Mukund has made himself unavailable for national duty. The AITA is leaving the final decision to the Executive Committee and may consider implementing a Davis Cup selection policy.

Meanwhile, India has been unsuccessful in its attempt to get the tie shifted from Pakistan. Due to security concerns, the Asia/Oceania Group I tie was shifted to Kazakhstan in 2019. Pakistan is keen to host the Indian team and has declared that it won’t field a team if the contest is shifted again. The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and the players are eager to compete against India on home soil.

If India decides to travel, it will be the team’s first visit to Pakistan in 59 years and only the third in the history of the Davis Cup. The Indian team last visited Pakistan in 1964 and emerged victorious with a 4-0 scoreline. Pakistan has visited India thrice, but India has never lost to them in their eight Davis Cup encounters.