Doubles veteran and Paris 2024 Olympian N Sriram Balaji has been dropped from the Indian tennis team for its upcoming Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers tie against the Netherlands, scheduled in Bengaluru on February 7 and 8.
The 35-year-old Indian tennis player, who has featured regularly in recent Davis Cup squads for India, was left out despite his vast experience as the selectors were looking to invest in long-term prospects.
“The selection committee felt it was time to look ahead. Sriram Balaji has been a very good servant for Indian tennis, but it was felt that he has become a bit soft and we need to groom players who can take the team forward,” India’s non-playing Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal told PTI, explaining the omission.
With Balaji, who partnered Rohan Bopanna at the Paris 2024 Olympics, omitted, India’s top-ranked doubles player Yuki Bhambri is expected to partner Rithvik Bollipalli.
Sumit Nagal, the country’s top-ranked singles player at world No. 277, is also in the squad alongside Dhakshineswar Suresh and Karan Singh.
The selection was made based on form, fitness, and the long-term vision of the team, the AITA noted.
The reserve list for the tie comprises Aryan Shah, left-hander Aniruddh Chandrashekhar, and Digvijay Singh. Additionally, Bengaluru’s own Prajwal Dev and rising prospect Arnav Paparkar will join the training camp as practice partners.
India, 33rd in the Davis Cup tennis team standings, will have their work cut out against a Dutch unit, which is ranked sixth, in the first round of qualifiers.
India booked their place in the 2026 Qualifiers by defeating Switzerland 3-1 in the Davis Cup 2025 World Group I tie in Biel. This will be India’s first Davis Cup Qualifiers appearance since the tournament format was revamped in 2019.
India’s Davis Cup 2026 team vs Netherlands
Players: Sumit Nagal, Dhakshineswar Suresh, Karan Singh, Yuki Bhambri, Rithvik Bollipalli
Reserves: Aryan Shah, Aniruddh Chandrashekhar, Digvijay Singh
Captain: Rohit Rajpal
Coach: Ashutosh Singh