India have begun their preparations for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tournament in the national capital, with captain Vishal Uppal expressing confidence in a balanced squad that blends experience and youth. The team assembled in Delhi earlier this week to acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the April 7-11 tournament, with Uppal stressing the importance of early preparation. “We’ve just got here to Delhi… and come the 7th of April, we’ll be ready to come out and fight for India. We really hope the people of Delhi come out in large numbers and support Team India,” Uppal told PTI Videos.
Reflecting on last year’s campaign, where India made the playoffs but fell short of advancing further, Uppal highlighted the need for collective effort.
“Tennis is an individual sport, but here it has to be a team effort. This year, all of us have to play our role and give our heart and soul day in and day out,” he added.
India’s recent performances underline steady progress in women’s tennis. The team has qualified for the World Group playoffs twice in the last six years after a 42-year drought before 2020.
“Everyone wants to live in a penthouse, but you have to build the floors first. We are in the process of building women’s tennis in India,” Uppal explained, underlining the long-term vision.
Among the fresh faces is debutant Vaishnavi Adkar, who has impressed on the domestic circuit in the 2025-26 season with multiple ITF quarterfinal finishes and a steady rise into the top 600.
“It’s my first time here, and it’s a great opportunity… an honour to represent the country,” Adkar said.
“We’ve had two sessions every day, getting used to the conditions, courts and balls. The team spirit is very high.” India No. 3 Vaidehee Chaudhari, currently ranked around 450 in the WTA standings after a 2025-26 season that included an ITF title and multiple semifinal appearances, said the team is targeting another playoff berth.
“We always have a strong team. We’ll try to win every tie and do our best to get into the playoffs,” she said.
Chaudhari, who returned from a six-month injury layoff last year, is also chasing personal milestones.
“I’d like to break into the top 300 so that I can play Grand Slam qualifying. This year I’ll definitely do my best,” she added.
Experienced campaigner Rutuja Bhosale, who has focused on doubles after injury concerns and enjoyed a productive 2025-26 season with two ITF doubles titles, echoed the team’s determination.
“The six months before were really tough… we decided to focus fully on doubles as it suited my body. But even in doubles, representing the country is a privilege,” Bhosale said.
She also emphasised the squad’s familiarity with opponents.
“We know what we’re up against. We’ve played these girls before… It’s going to be tough, but we’re preparing well.” Meanwhile, Sahaja Yamalapalli, who has had a consistent 2025-26 season with multiple ITF quarterfinal finishes and a career-best ranking surge, highlighted the importance of team unity.
“It’s super motivating… we’ve experienced the playoffs last year. We’re ready to fight for every point and bring that same energy again,” she said.
“There’s no ‘I’ in the team. We share experiences, strategies and support each other.” The squad also includes seasoned player Ankita Raina and rising star Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, the latter having won five consecutive matches in the previous edition to power India’s campaign.
With Delhi’s rising temperatures expected to test endurance, Uppal remains unfazed.
“I want it to be even hotter.. that’s why we’ve come early to get used to the conditions,” he said, acknowledging that all competing teams are seasoned professionals.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)