Prakash Amritraj's dream of playing for India will be fulfilled on Friday when he takes on Sjeng Schalken in the Davis Cup World Group qualifying tie against Holland in Zwolle.
Rohan Bopanna, who made his Davis Cup debut early this year against Japan, will take on Martin Verkerk in the opening singles rubber followed by Amritraj's match against Schalken.
Bopanna will also partner Mahesh Bhupathi in the doubles rubber on Saturday, followed by the reverse singles on Sunday, as India try to break the play-off jinx.
Ramesh Krishnan, the non-playing captain, said recent form and the age factor are the reasons behind opting for Amritraj ahead of the experienced Harsh Mankad.
"He [Amritraj] has been doing well during the past three or four months and has scored a few good wins," Krishnan said from Zwolle after the draw.
"Age is also in his favour; he is four years younger [than Mankad]," Krishnan said about Amritraj.
Amritraj, son of former Davis Cupper Vijay Amritraj, became eligible to play for India in April this year. He had expressed his willingness to wait for his debut next year but the loss of lead player Leander Paes due to illness has pitch-forked him into a crucial tie.
India start as underdogs against the hosts as Schalken and Verkerk are ranked 13 and 14 in the world respectively.
India hold a 2-1 head-to-head record over the Dutch. One of those victories came in 1924, in Holland, while the other came on home grass in 1996 in Jaipur.
Bhupathi, who was a member of the team that beat the Dutch in 1996 on grass in Jaipur, agreed India's change a bleak. "But that won't stop us giving it our all. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain," he said.
The draw:
Friday [Play stars 1530 IST]:
Martin Verkerk (NED) vs Rohan Bopanna (IND)
Sjeng Schalken (NED) v Prakash Amritraj (IND)
Saturday [play starts 1730 pm]:
Martin Verkerk/John Van Lottum (NED) v Rohan Bopanna/Mahesh Bhupathi (IND)
Sunday [play starts 1530 IST]:
Schalken v Bopanna; Verkerk v Amritraj.
