The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has announced a promising squad for the crucial Davis Cup 2026 Qualifiers tie against The Netherlands. The team will be spearheaded by India's top-ranked singles player, Sumit Nagal, who is currently ranked World No. 279.
Roundglass Academy Dominates Squad Selection
In a significant nod to the academy's development program, four athletes from Chandigarh's Roundglass Tennis Academy have earned their place in the national setup. Alongside Nagal, the playing squad includes Yuki Bhambri and Karan Singh. Another academy product, Digvijay Singh, has been named among the reserves.
This selection underscores the academy's growing influence as a hub for high-performance tennis in India. The facility also counts former women's singles No.1 Karman Kaur Thandi and current junior stars Hitesh Chauhan and Arjun Rathi among its alumni.
New Faces and Key Roles for Netherlands Clash
The singles duties for the tie are expected to be shared between Sumit Nagal, Karan Singh, and newcomer Dhakshineswar Suresh. Suresh, who honed his skills on the American NCAA circuit, brings a powerful game backed by promising results and is a debutant to watch.
Karan Singh, who made a winning Davis Cup debut against Togo in the World Group I play-offs in New Delhi last February, will look to build on that experience. The experienced Yuki Bhambri is likely to partner Rithvik Bollipalli in the crucial doubles rubber, adding strategic depth to the team.
Historic Context and Venue Details
India earned its place in the 2026 Qualifiers with a landmark 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Biel in September 2025. That win was historic, marking India's first triumph over a European nation on European soil in the Davis Cup since 1993. Nagal was instrumental in that victory, winning both his singles matches.
This upcoming tie against The Netherlands will be India's first appearance in the Davis Cup Qualifiers since the tournament's format was revamped in 2019. The matches are scheduled for February 7-8, 2026, and will be hosted at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru.
The complete squad is as follows:
- Players: Sumit Nagal, Karan Singh, Yuki Bhambri, Dhakshineswar Suresh, Rithvik Bollipalli.
- Reserves: Aryan Shah, Aniruddh Chandrashekhar, Digvijay Singh.
The nation will be watching as this blend of established stars and exciting new talent aims to secure a coveted spot in the next stage of the prestigious team competition.
