India take bold decision, bench number one Nagal for Croatia clash

In a bold decision, underdogs India on Thursday preferred Ramkumar Ramanathan over number one singles player Sumit Nagal for their clash against top seeds Croatia in the Davis Cup Qualifiers beginning here on Friday.

The hosts will be led by world number 37 Marin Cilic and the 2014 US Open champion is the only top-50 singles player in their ranks.

The absence of their best-ranked player Borna Coric (33rd) means that Indians can go after their second singles player Borna Gojo, who is yet to win a match in the Davis Cup.

Getting two points from Gojo is very much possible for the visitors, considering that he is placed 277th in the ATP rankings, which is below all three Indian singles players.

Nagal (127) is India's best-ranked player and he along with Ramumar Ramanathan (182), and Prajnesh (132) is capable of beating Gojo though they have not competed against him yet.

Non-playing captain Rohit Rajpal, while explaining the surprise decision, said that conditions demanded that Ramkumar should play instead of Nagal.

"The courts are medium-paced with low bounce. It is suiting Ramkumar more because Sumit is not getting the bite with his top-spin from back of the court," Rajpal told PTI.

"It is important to get one point on the opening day, so we made Prajnesh our number one player instead of Sumit. It's a strategy made in the best interest of the team and the nation," he elaborated.

When asked that Ramkumar being taller could struggle in tackling the low bounce, Rajpal said, "His is an all-round game with chip and charge, serve and volley elements. He is more suited, considering the conditions."
"Ramkumar can play freely against Cilic if we are up 1-0. The doubles is also crucial. (Ivan) Dodig is not playing and Franko Skugor is, so we have a strong chance in doubles too. So we have a chance to win this tie."