Captain Mahesh Bhupathi on Wednesday made it clear that India won't miss veteran Leander Paes during their upcoming Davis Cup Qualifier against fancied Italy at Calcutta South Club on Friday-Saturday.
Paes, who is the most successful doubles player in the history of Davis Cup with a record of 43 wins overall, has been sidelined since India's 3-2 win in China at the Asia/Oceania second round in April last year.
Asked if India would be at a disadvantageous position minus Paes on familiar surface at the South Club, Bhupathi was dismissive in his reply. "No, it's not."
"And for me, it's even a bigger bonus that Prajnesh is now almost near top-100 in the world. So he's obviously brimming with confidence."