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Prakash Amritraj included in Davis Cup team
August 20, 2003 22:52 IST
India's number one ranked tennis player Prakash Amritraj was included in the Davis Cup team for the upcoming World Group qualifying tie against Holland next month.
Chairman of selectors Shyam Minotra said Amritraj, the highest ranked Indian on the ATP circuit at 317, deserved to be in the team.
"We have selected him (Amritraj) on the basis of merit. He deserves his place in the team," said Minotra on Wednesday.
Amritraj, son of former Davis Cupper Vijay Amritraj and a US-born citizen, became eligible to play for India in April this year but has reportedly said he wants to play in Davis Cup only after April next year.
Minotra said the selectors included Amritraj in the team against the player's wishes because "the best team needed to be picked up".
Amritraj began the year with a ranking outside the 1000 but made rapid progress by winning on the Satellite circuit in India and twice making it to the second round on the ATP circuit.
The selectors' recommendation has been forwarded to the All India Tennis Association and an official announcement was only a formality, Minotra said.
Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna and Harsh Mankad are the other members of the Indian team.