India are unlikely to be troubled by a depleted Chinese Taipei but there is no scope for smugness as the visitors have some talented players in their ranks for the Asia/Oceania Group I tie, beginning here tomorrow.
Ever since thrusted into Davis Cup action, the Indian youngsters led by Somdev Devvarman, have produced superb results for the country. India could have been in a better position in the competition but for the players' revolt last year, the hosts are still in Group I.
Losing to Korea at home in the absence of top players denied the country a chance to challenge for a place in the elite World Group.
However, now India have a good chance to be there as Chinese Taipei have arrived without their top stars -- world number 54 Yen-Hsun Lu and Jimmy Wang (154) -- and a victory here would take them to Korea for the second round, the winner of which will play in World Group play-offs.
India have a strong singles players in Somdev and Yuki Bhambri and both of them enjoyed a successful 2013 season.
Yuki, who is in tremendous form, will open India's campaign tomorrow as he will play the first singles against Taipei number one player Tsung Hua Yang (216). The 22-year-old beat world number 89 Jack Sock last week in a Challenger event in Hawaii, where he reached the final. He is also a former junior world number one.
Somdev, ranked 103, will then clash with Ti Chen (284) in the second singles. Chen had good results on the ITF Futures circuit last year, winning three titles and making several semifinals.
Somdev had beaten Chen in 2009 in India's 3-2 win over Taipei in the away tie, which was first between the two countries.
Comeback-man Rohan Bopanna will pair with debutant Saketh Myneni for the doubles rubber against Hsien-Yin Peng and Hsin-Han Lee on Saturday and reverse singles will be played on Sunday.
