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India will host the Bille Jean King Cup at Deccan Gymkhana in Pune from April 8.
Vishal Uppal (X)
There were no surprises in the Indian team picked for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup with the AITA selection committee going for tried and tested top-ranked players, led by number one Ankita Raina, while Vishal Uppal returned as captain of the side after two years.
Raina will have Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Vaidehi Chaudhari in the side, while Prarthana Thombare will be the doubles specialist in the five-member squad.
Teen sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran, who recently made the semifinals of the WTA Mumbai Open, will be the reserve player in the side.
India will host the Bille Jean King Cup at Deccan Gymkhana in Pune from April 8.
A training camp will begin at the venue from April 2 and Rutuja Bhosale and Vaishnavi Adkar have also been invited to be part of the preparations.
In March 2023, Uppal was removed as non-playing captain with Shalini Thakur replacing him.
It has been learnt that the AITA Executive Committee decided to bring Uppal back as he was shunted out back then without any discussion at the appropriate forum.
“I am deeply honoured at being named captain of the Indian team at the Billie Jean King Cup. Representing India on this prestigious platform is both a privilege and a responsibility — one that I embrace with great commitment and determination,” said Uppal.
“I’m very excited with the team we have and I think we have a great mix of experience and youth. We will fight hard as a team and give it everything we have,” he added.
Radhika Kanitkar will be the coach of the side.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
