Indian tennis' new wonder boy Karan Rastogi on Friday was included in the Davis Cup team for the Asia Oceania Group 1 tie against New Zealand at Invercargill, New Zealand from February 6 to 8.
The announcement from the All India Tennis Association came close on the heels of Karan's spectacular performance at the Australian Open junior championships in Melbourne where he reached the boys' singles semi-finals.
Karan, currently placed 8th in the ITF World Junior Rankings, emulated Leander Paes by reaching a Grand Slam semifinal where he went down to French Gael Monfils 2-6, 2-6.
Karan had earlier been the youngest Indian to enter the main draw of a $25,000 ATP Challenger event when he came through three qualifying rounds in Delhi last year.
An excited Karan from Melbourne said, "though I was slightly disappointed after losing the semi-finals, the news of my inclusion into the Davis Cup team certainly elated me."
"This came as a big surprise to me as I had never expected it. I am very happy to be a part of the team and it would be of invaluable experience for me," he added.
The other four members of the Indian team, announced early this week, are playing captain Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Harsh Mankad and Punna Vishal.
The final four will be nominated by the captain prior to the draw ceremony in New Zealand.
