As India prepare for one of their biggest Davis Cup challenges in recent years, belief rather than ranking is driving the camp in Bengaluru.
With the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 1 tie against the Netherlands scheduled for February 7–8 at the S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium, the Indian squad has entered the final phase of its preparations under the close supervision of captain Rohit Rajpal. The mood in the camp is one of focus, quiet confidence, and historical motivation.
India, currently ranked No. 33 in the Davis Cup Nations Ranking, will be up against a Dutch side that sits No. 6 in the world and finished as runners-up at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. On paper, the Netherlands are clear favourites. But Rajpal is convinced that if his players rise together at the right moment, the tie is winnable.
“If we play the way we played in Switzerland, where all the players peaked at the right time, I believe we can go through this tie,” Rajpal said during India’s training camp.
“The idea is to taper it down we begin with two heavy sessions every day and gradually reduce the load so that everyone peaks at the right time and is able to give their best.”
Bengaluru camp gathers momentum
India’s build-up officially gathered pace this week at Bengaluru’s S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium. Karan Singh and Rithvik Bollipalli were the first to arrive and begin training, while Sumit Nagal, Dhakshineswar Suresh, and Yuki Bhambri were set to rejoin the squad shortly after, completing the core group.
The Indian team management has intentionally scheduled an early camp to allow players to adapt to court conditions, climate, and team combinations a method Rajpal has consistently used since taking charge in 2019.
The Bengaluru hard courts, with their moderate bounce and altitude, are expected to suit India’s aggressive baseline players and powerful servers, making preparation on the match courts an essential part of the strategy.
A rivalry with history
This Davis Cup meeting carries more than just qualification stakes it carries memory. India and the Netherlands are tied 2–2 in their head-to-head Davis Cup history, but one result stands out above all: Jaipur 1996. That year, India stunned the Dutch 3–2 after trailing 1–2, with Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi delivering iconic performances in front of a roaring home crowd. That victory remains one of the most celebrated moments in Indian Davis Cup history.
And now, three decades later, that story is being used to inspire another generation. Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, one of the heroes of 1996, sent his message of support to the current squad.
“I want to wish the team good luck ahead of the Davis Cup tie. I have very good memories of playing against the Dutch, especially when we beat them in Jaipur in 1996.
It just goes to show that anything is possible in the Davis Cup. The team needs to keep their heads high and fight hard.”
Confidence from Switzerland
India arrive in Bengaluru buoyed by their 3–1 victory over Switzerland in Biel in September 2025, a result that showcased the team’s ability to deliver under pressure away from home. That performance built on discipline, adaptability, and mental strength has become a benchmark for Rajpal and his players.
The captain believes that replicating that collective peak is the key to unsettling a highly ranked Dutch team.
“The Netherlands were finalists in 2024. Any team that reaches the final and is playing for a place in the top 16 in the world is never going to be an easy opponent,” Rajpal said.
“But this is what home ties are about. We’re hoping the stadium will be full and cheering for us that kind of energy can make a huge difference.”
The Davis Cup Qualifiers are not just another round they are the gateway to the elite tier of world tennis. A win would propel India deeper into the global competition, while a loss would mean another long road back through World Group playoffs. Against a Netherlands side stacked with experience and ranked far higher, India know the margins will be fine. But Davis Cup history has repeatedly shown that home advantage, crowd energy, and momentum can tilt even the most lopsided tie.
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As the Indian players continue their intensive sessions in Bengaluru drilling serves, returns, doubles patterns, and baseline endurance the message from their captain remains simple: peak together, and anything is possible.
Match details
Venue: S.M. Krishna Tennis Stadium, Bengaluru
Dates: February 7–8, 2026
