India's non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan expects the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group tie against New Zealand, beginning at the South Club in Kolkata from Friday, to be tough and well-contested.
"There is very little separating the two (teams). We will not be enjoying any advantage because we are playing on grass, though this is what is being made out by some quarters," Krishnan told rediff.com.
"Though the last time we beat New Zealand 4-1, it's not going to be any easier this time," Krishnan said, adding that even the Indian weather might not work to the home team's advantage because "it about adapting to the conditions on the day of the match though our players know the conditions".
"We have happy memories of South Club, and everyone expects this to be a good tie. The players are getting accustomed to the conditions and they are prepared to give it all," the former Indian No.1 said.
Indian ace Leander Paes practised on the South Club courts on Tuesday morning along with Harsh Mankad, Rohan Bopanna and Vishal Uppal, who has been included as the fifth member. Paes's former doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi is expected to arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday evening.
Despite Krishnan's insistence that the weather would not be important factor, as most Indian player like Paes are coming to the tournament after playing in cooler climes, Kiwi skipper Glenn Wilson said, "The heat is a factor that we are trying to work out."
The other members of the Kiwi side are: Mark Nielsen, James Shortall, Robert Cheyne and Alistair Hunt.
The draw is slated for Thursday. If India win the tie, they will qualify for the World Group qualifying round.
