Somdev set to make Davis Cup debut

India's non-playing captain Leander Paes chose to throw the "fearless" youngster at the deep end and see how the US Collegiate champion performs at the big stage, instead of risking half-fit Prakash Amritraj, who will play doubles alongside Mahesh Bhuapthi.

To Somdev's good fortune, the draw unfolded in the manner India wanted giving Rohan Bopanna the opening match against Uzbekistan's number 2 player Farrukh Dustov, before Somdev walks in the lush centre court at DLTA on Friday.

At 784 in the ATP Rankings, Somdev is 600 places below Istomin, who is high on confidence after dragging Lleyton Hewitt to a nail-biting four-setter in the Australian Open last month.

But Paes's decision to pick Somdev ahead of Prakash is based on two facts. The 22-year-old will be an unknown entity for Uzbekistan and will certainly add to India's advantage besides giving that extra time to Prakash to recuperate from the stomach ailment and come out fully fit for the doubles clash on Saturday against Istomin and Dustov.

Prakash though has an envious record against Istomin and has beaten him twice in previous meetings. The Indian beat Istomin in the Jaipur tie in 2005 when Uzbekistan was whitewashed 5-0 and in a Challengers match the next year.

Prakash was not part of the team in the away-tie in 2007 which India lost 1-4. Paes partnering Sunil Kumar Sipaeya

notched up India's only win.

"I had to see his (Prakash) physical condition at the moment. I spoke to him in the team meeting. It is always better to field somebody who is fully fit rather than choose a player who is 60 per cent fit," Paes told reporters on Thursday.

"It will also give Prakash an extra day to recover and be fully fit and get ready to last five sets. As a captain I have to look at things in totality," Paes said.

Paes's belief in Somdev's ability is unflinching and the stalwart said time was ripe for the "brightest prospect" in the country to unfold on the big stage.

"The boy deserves the chance. He is fearless, determined and has a big heart; one of the fittest boys in the team. He has played a lot of tennis at Collegiate level which has toughened him.

"He is a baseliner and so is Istomin. Istomin is in great form but he is not a serve and volley player. It will a interesting match between two baseliners on grass court."

Paes also said that if Bopanna can give India 1-0 lead, it will reduce the pressure on Somdev - who came into the limelight after winning a top university tournament in the US, which was a stepping stone for the likes of John McEnroe and Arthur Ashe.

"Somdev has nothing to loose. Even if he looses by three sets, I know that he will put all his effort, and if he wins it's for everybody to see. We are happy with the draw. Rohan can go up there and put us 1-0 up before Somdev plays."

Also with the workload evenly distributed, any one player will not have the burden to play all the three days.