A five-member India Davis Cup squad was named on Sunday for the grass court challenge against Pakistan.

It is a clear indication that an Indian Davis Cup side is preparing to play on Pakistan soil for the first time in 60 years even as the All India Tennis Association (AITA) awaits International Tennis Federation (ITF) tribunal’s decision on its appeal against travel to the neighbouring nation due to security concerns.

India last travelled to Pakistan way back in 1964 when they beat the hosts 4-0. India have never lost to Pakistan in the Davis Cup competition in eight ties against each other.

Ramkumar Ramanthan, whose serve and volley game style suits the grass surface, will lead the challenge of the squad that includes N Sriram Balaji, Yuki Bhambri, Niki Poonacha and Saketh Myneni for the February 3-4 World Group I play-off tie.

Rohit Rajpal will be the non-playing captain of the team and Zeeshan Ali will serve as the coach.

The team has only Ramkumar and 2019 national champion Poonacha as singles players while the three others now play only doubles on the ATP Tour. It will not be a surprise if captain Rohit Rajpal asks Bhambri to play the singles. Balaji can also be asked to play one of the singles.

Digvijay Pratap Singh, who made his debut against Morocco in India’s last Davis Cup assignment in Lucknow in September, has been named as a reserve player. India’s top players Sumit Nagal and Sasikumar Mukund have pulled out of the tie, where the winning team will ensure its stay in World Group I for the rest of the 2024 season.

India had requested ITF to relocate the tie to a neutral venue but the ITF Davis Cup Committee had rejected the appeal.

“We have appealed against the Davis Cup committee decision and a final call will be taken by the ITF tribunal on December 19. If the tribunal also rejects the appeal we will then travel to Pakistan,” AITA secretary general Anil Dhupar said.

Asked if the government will grant the squad permission to travel to Pakistan, Dhupar said,” It’s a World Cup of tennis and the government is likely to allow travel.”

“Only one month is left for the tie and the selected players need to know the schedule so that they can plan their ATP engagements, that’s why we have announced the team. Whether we are asked by ITF to travel to Pakistan or we go to a neutral venue is a different matter, the team had to be picked.”