India will travel to Nur-Sultan to take on Pakistan in the upcoming Davis Cup tie as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has nominated the Kazakhstan capital to host the matches, ending days of uncertainty over the venue.
Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) had filed an appeal contesting the ITF Davis Cup Committee's November 4 decision to shift the tie to a neutral venue.
PTF had argued that if Indian pilgrims can visit Pakistan without any security threat, why can't the Indian team play matches in Islamabad, but the Independent Tribunal of the world governing body kept the games at a neutral venue.
"The ITF has communicated to us that the tie will be held in Nur-Sultan. We can't say if they rejected the PTF appeal. In a late-night communication, they just mentioned the new venue," AITA CEO Akhuori Bishwadeep told PTI.
The matches will be played on indoor courts since extreme cold conditions there won't allow them to be staged outside.
"Playing indoor suits our players. It will work in our favour, not that our players can't play on grass but they a lot more comfortable on hard courts. The weather conditions are harsh and though we are playing indoors, it still affects the body," India coach Zeeshan Ali told PTI.
"The quality of tennis is better playing indoors because factors like sun and wind do not affect the matches."
"Pressure is different on Davis Cup because you are not playing for yourself but for your country. So we picked our best players."