Sumit Nagal Back In Action For India! Rejoins Davis Cup Squad For Swiss Tie
Sumit Nagal returns to India's Davis Cup team after two years, joining Yuki Bhambri for the World Group I tie against Switzerland in Biel.
India's top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal has made a return to the national team after a two-year hiatus, while leading doubles specialist Yuki Bhambri is also back in the fold as the All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Friday announced an eight-member squad for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Switzerland.
The World Group I first-round clash will be held in the Swiss city of Biel from September 12, on indoor hard courts.
Nagal Back After Two-Year Gap
Nagal last represented India in the Davis Cup during the home tie against Morocco in Lucknow in September 2023, where he won both his singles matches to help secure a 4–1 victory. Since then, he missed the landmark away tie in Pakistan in February 2024, along with subsequent matches against Sweden and Togo.
Despite a dip in form and ranking—he is currently placed at No. 306—Nagal showed signs of resurgence with a semifinal run at the Trieste Challenger in Italy earlier this month.
Joining Nagal in the singles line-up are Karan Singh (ranked 403) and promising youngster Aryan Shah (ranked 442). The reserves for singles are Sasikumar Mukund (463) and Dakshineshwar Suresh (790).
In doubles, Bhambri (ranked 35) and N Sriram Balaji (75) have been selected as the main pair, with Rithvik Bollipalli (77) named as reserve.
Bhambri last represented India in their historic 4–0 win over Pakistan in Islamabad but missed the next two ties.
Indoor Surface Poses Challenge
The indoor surface in Biel is expected to be fast, which may not suit Nagal's game, traditionally better on slower courts. However, India's Davis Cup captain Rohit Rajpal expressed confidence in Nagal's adaptability.
'Sumit Nagal had a great journey to the top 100. He plays at a high level, and he can make those adjustments. It's not going to be easy. In the Denmark tie against Holger Rune, it was a tight match. We have to see what kind of bounce the court offers," Rajpal told PTI.
The final playing squad will be determined based on form, fitness, and match sharpness during practice sessions leading up to the tie.
Switzerland, who lost 1–3 to Spain in the recent Davis Cup qualifiers, are expected to field a strong team. Their top-ranked singles player is Jerome Kym (145), followed by veterans Stan Wawrinka (156), Marc-Andrea Huesler (170), and Dominic Stricker (205).
Veteran player Ramkumar Ramanathan has been omitted from the squad—a move widely anticipated due to his recent struggles. Once valued for his ability to switch between singles and doubles, Ramkumar has found it difficult to qualify for singles main draws even at the Challenger level.
India's Davis Cup Squad:
Singles:
view comments
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 25, 2025, 18:34 IST
News sports Sumit Nagal Back In Action For India! Rejoins Davis Cup Squad For Swiss Tie
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'We failed to recognise Mohammed Siraj': R Ashwin urges Gambhir, Shubman Gill to look after potential No.1 bowler
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urged Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill to look after Mohammed Siraj after the pacer led the visitors to a thrilling six-run win against England in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The 31-year-old returned with nine wickets in the series decider, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings, to help Shubman Gill's side level the five-match series. Mohammed Siraj took nine wickets in the Oval Test against England. (PTI) Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024, said Siraj has not been recognised for his efforts in the past, and the time has come for the pacer to get all the acknowledgement he deserves. Siraj stepped up in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah as he led the pace attack really well, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 23 scalps. 'We failed to recognise Mohammed Siraj. The time has come to recognise him now. He once again put his hand up; he has given a compelling reason. Just look at his celebration, it seems as if he is saying, 'This is not the trailer. This is the main picture itself'. He is saying, 'Please consider me as a match winner'. ' He is reminding us what a champion bowler he is. His bowling action, his technique and good work ethic are allowing him to play all five Tests in a series,' said Ashwin on his YouTube channel. Also Read: 'When Siraj took the last wicket, as much as I was disappointed…': England coach McCullum hails India in 'best series' 'He is also growing old. It is important for the team management to rest him as well from inconsequential matches. He could be your No.1 Test bowler; he could be your go-to Test bowler. We have to rebuild the bowling attack. Akash Deep is there, Prasidh Krishna is there, Arshdeep Singh is there. Around Mohammed Siraj and his experience, we have to build it,' he added. Siraj's workload in the series The right-arm speedster delivered 187 overs in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, bowling the most overs by any bowler in the recently concluded series. Siraj witnessed a plethora of emotions in the entire series against England. He saw pure agony after India suffered a defeat in the Lord's Test. He played a forward defence off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir, but the ball rolled back onto the stumps, leading to the hosts' victory. The pacer then failed to take Harry Brook's catch on Day 4 of the Oval Test, and the batter made India pay by smashing 111 runs. However, Siraj stepped up when India needed it the most as he took the final three wickets out of the remaining four on Day 5. 'Let's celebrate Siraj. He is the leading wicket-taker in the series. Dinesh Karthik interviewed him on Day 4, and then he interviewed him after the match had ended. He was his translator as well. But in the interview he had with Siraj, he was just asking questions in English. He knows all about him. In the T20 World Cup, Siraj said 'We believe in Jassi Bhai'. But today, not Jassi Bhai, Miyan Bhai was the real instrument to level this series. Without Jasprit Bumrah, we have drawn this series. Siraj has led the attack,' said Ashwin. 'Cricketing gods have been fair to Siraj. Despite getting it wrong at times, he never stops running in. It is very easy for someone playing all the Tests to say, 'I am tired. I am having pain'. He is always there on the field; he never goes outside. Cricketing gods recognise these things. Very well deserved. It is very hard to find players like Siraj. Players like Siraj don't come easily, especially from India. He is the first of his kind. Mohammed Siraj, for his pure attitude, is a once-in-a-generation cricketer,' he added.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
England panicked, they just needed one partnership: Vaughan
London, Aug 5 (PTI) Former captain Michael Vaughan feels England panicked on the final day of the fifth Test against India in the absence of inspirational skipper Ben Stokes, with only 35 runs needed to win and four wickets in hand. England eventually lost the match by six runs as India made a stunning comeback to draw the five-match series 2-2 on Monday. "...Ben Stokes in that team, England would've won this Test match. He plays such a big role in this team, the mentality... England did panic (on the fifth morning). "They just needed one partnership. They panicked in the way that they can with the way that they play, they play with a huge amount of aggressiveness. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, the Harry Brook dismissal did cause that collapse, but it's the way England play," Vaughan told BBC's Test Match Special. Stokes, who played a pivotal role for England with both bat and ball, missed the fifth Test due to a shoulder injury, while pacers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse were rested. Vaughan said the thrilling series against India should be a perfect preparation for England for the this year's Ashes in Australia, starting in November. "It's been a tremendous five matches for England. You've got to be realistic, this week they were down to 10 men, lost one of their bowlers early, and not got Ben Stokes. You're looking at the team going to Australia and I think there's more pieces in place. "We'll arrive in Perth for that first Test and know the top seven. It's just a matter of the bowling attack and getting that right. Clearly Ben Stokes is going to have to get fit. With Ben Stokes in the England side they can beat anybody. Without him, they can lose to anybody," Vaughan said. England looked on course for a historic win with Harry Brook and Joe Root taking the home team to 301 for three on the fourth day before Brook was caught by Mohammed Siraj off the bowling of Akash Deep. England then lost two more wickets, including Root before the end of the fourth day's play. "(Harry) Brook had that thought process that he wanted to hit 30 or 40 quick runs. What Harry needs to learn is in an Ashes series, in a similar situation, just win. I love the way he plays, his approach. At times, he's a genius. He plays the game in a fashion not many have ever played," Vaughan said. "I don't want to take away from his positivity and flamboyance. But in Sydney, if England are 2-1 up, dig in Harry."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shubman Gill's baptism by Bazball: Calm head, bat full of runs and a gun team
Shubman Gill-led India levelled the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England at 2-2. (PTI) in London: Captaincy can often be a very lonely job, even in team sports. Especially when the results don't go in your favour and unforeseen circumstances take over to complicate matters even further. There are times when you need that arm around your shoulder to give that assurance and the outside noise becomes so loud that it gets very difficult to shut it out. For Shubman Gill , England tour was his first bite of Test captaincy and it did give him different tastes throughout the series. From Leeds to London, the series had its fair share of highs and lows with no shortage of drama. There was the odd needle, 'balls' was the most trending keyword and injuries were a concern in both camps. For India, however, the concern was a bit more grave as Rishabh Pant missed the final fixture due to a fractured foot and Jasprit Bumrah , the leader of the fast bowling pack, was released mid-way into The Oval Test. Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj press conference: India stars answer all questions It left Gill, the new Test captain, all by himself. The spotlight firmly on him, he had to call the shots, continue contributions with the bat and ensure the group was aligned towards the bigger picture - draw in Manchester and then win at The Oval to level the series 2-2 . Sounds like a straightforward plan but it came with its fair share of drama - tough team calls and then staying one step ahead of the 'Bazballers'. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mix 3 Kitchen Ingredients, Wake Up Thinner Every Morning Get Fit Today Click Here Undo SUBSCRIBE NOW! Gill, had come into the series with question marks over his away record, but a series haul of 754 runs, including four centuries, put that to bed. Captaincy was next and while Gill got better at it, his personality of being so approachable and likeable in the dressing room made it a breeze for the team to transition from the Rohit Sharma era. There was a lot of intrigue how Gill, a player obsessed with his own batting, will take up the additional leadership responsibility but for him, it worked wonders. Gill, the captain, was so occupied in getting the dressing room right and players on point that he hardly got the time to feel the extra heat of captaincy, and added pressure which comes along with it. Shubman Gill finished the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as the leading run-scorer. (ANI) "If you think too much about others, your own pressure goes away, because you're always thinking about someone else. Even in captaincy, or when I was batting, I felt in the series, because of thinking about others, I didn't feel that much pressure on myself. I was always thinking, what can I do for the team? Or if someone is feeling low, how can I help? So I think all of these things, it helps me, to be able to take pressure from myself," said Gill. He was sitting next to Mohammed Siraj during the press conference and didn't shy away from lavishing praise on the bowling workhorse, and also mentioning the contributions of the two key players who missed the final game of the series. Poll Do you believe Shubman Gill can evolve into a world-class captain? Yes No Maybe "When you have players like him ( Mohammed Siraj ), you don't really feel like that (helpless). You know, they're always going to come at opposition, they're always going to make their life difficult. We didn't have Rishabh. He's been one of the key performers for us over the past couple of years, and even Boom bhai, I don't need to say much about him, he's also been one of the best fast bowlers in the world right now," added Gill. During the series, there were enough instances of Gill's batting class but questions persisted over the kind of leader Gill will grow and evolve into. Still early days but he has given a terrific account in his maiden assignment. Shubman Gill acknowledges the crowd after India won the fifth Test match against England at The Oval. (PTI) Not often do you see a series as hard fought as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Not often you see teams grapple with injuries, availabilities and the high intensity. It will be safe to say no side released any steam for 25 days of going at each other but as Gill aptly summed it up, it was all worth it! "There are moments like these, where you feel the journey is worth it, the moment that we had in the morning... You should be able to navigate through the highs and lows of life and try to stay balanced throughout. That's what at least I believe in, that I want to be able to stay balanced, whether we have won the match, lost the match, I've done well, or I've not done well. It's difficult, but it's a process. That's the real journey, to be able to stay balanced. I'm still learning, but so far, so good," said Gill. The young captain will win, lose, succeed, fail, get appreciated, face criticism and in this arduous journey as India's Test captain, he will grow into the leader everyone expects him to be. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
