The conversation around Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and their role in Indian sport has gathered renewed momentum in recent years, particularly in Indian tennis.
In the context of the Davis Cup, PIO players occupy a unique and often misunderstood space caught between identity, nationality laws, international regulations, and sporting opportunity. As Indian tennis searches for greater depth in singles, the PIO debate has moved from the margins to the centre.
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A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) refers to an individual with Indian ancestry who holds citizenship of another country such as the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia. In tennis, this often means players who have grown up, trained, and competed under foreign federations but retain familial and cultural ties to India.
A commonly cited example is Rajeev Ram an elite doubles player of Indian origin who represents the United States in the Davis Cup. While Ram has Indian roots, his nationality and sporting allegiance are American, making him ineligible to play for India under current rules unless he formally changes citizenship.
Early History: Indian-Origin Players Abroad
The presence of Indian-origin players in international team competitions is not new. Between the 1960s and 1980s, several players of Indian descent represented countries such as Malaysia, Kenya, Singapore, and Uganda. This was largely a product of post-colonial migration patterns within the British Commonwealth.
Players like Selvaraj, M.S. Parameswaran, and K.R. Shanmugham became prominent figures in their adopted nations, competing in Davis Cup zonal ties and regional circuits. While they had Indian roots, the lack of a strong, centralised Indian tennis system at the time meant these players built their careers elsewhere.
The Reverse Flow: PIOs Playing for India
The first major shift came in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when India began actively fielding overseas-based players.
Prakash Amritraj, son of Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, is the most notable example. Born and raised in the United States, Prakash initially represented the US but later played for India in the Davis Cup after resolving passport and eligibility formalities. He went on to win matches for India, proving that PIO players could integrate successfully into the national setup.
Similarly, Harsh Mankad, who was US-based for much of his development, represented India in the Davis Cup and became a reliable doubles option. This era benefited from relatively relaxed eligibility rules, allowing India to tap into its diaspora without excessive bureaucratic hurdles.
ITF Rules Before and After 2015
Before 2015, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) had comparatively flexible nationality rules. To represent India, a player primarily needed:
- An Indian passport
- A short period of residence
- A two-year waiting period if switching federations
This framework enabled smoother transitions for players like Amritraj and Mankad.
However, the 2015 ITF reforms fundamentally altered the landscape. The revised rules were designed to prevent frequent nationality switching and ensure a “genuine connection” to the country represented. Post-2015, a PIO player must:
- Hold an Indian passport
- Complete two years of continuous residency in India
- Be born in India, or have at least one parent born in India
- Observe a mandatory 24-month waiting period after switching
These changes made it significantly harder for elite, tour-based professionals—whose careers depend on global travel to commit to representing India.
Khelo Bharat Niti: A Policy Reset
In July 2025, the Indian government introduced the Khelo Bharat Niti (National Sports Policy), signalling a strategic shift. The policy explicitly encourages the inclusion of the Indian diaspora in elite sport, provided it aligns with international federation rules.
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While the policy does not override ITF regulations, it simplifies domestic processes and offers institutional support through national federations like the All India Tennis Association (AITA). Crucially, it reaffirms that PIO and OCI players with Indian passports can represent India at the highest level, including the Davis Cup.
Compared to the post-2015 ITF framework alone, Khelo Bharat Niti lowers administrative friction and sends a clear message of intent: India wants its global talent pool involved.
The New Generation: Nishesh Basavareddy and Samir Banerjee
This policy backdrop has brought fresh attention to two emerging names.
Nishesh Basavareddy, who has roots in Andhra Pradesh, has enjoyed a breakthrough on the ATP circuit. His résumé includes:
- A semifinal run at the ATP Auckland Open
- Multiple Challenger titles
- Qualification as a Next Gen ATP Finals contender in 2024 and 2025
- Wins over established players like Alejandro Tabilo, Alex Michelsen, Mariano Navone, and a notable victory over Marin Cilic
His strong junior career, followed by a standout college season at Stanford University, has underpinned his rapid rise. More recently, his association with Gilles Cervara, former coach of Daniil Medvedev, has added further credibility to his long-term potential.
Samir Banerjee, meanwhile, is a former Wimbledon Junior Champion (2021) and reached Junior World No. 2. After a solid college stint at Stanford, Banerjee has transitioned steadily into the professional ranks. In 2025, he:
- Reached multiple Challenger quarterfinals in the US
- Won ITF titles post-college season
- Broke into the ATP Top 400
Both players currently represent the United States, but under existing rules—and with the backing of AITA and Khelo Bharat Niti they could represent India if they choose to obtain Indian passports and meet residency requirements.
India’s long-standing weakness in the Davis Cup has been singles depth. While doubles has remained competitive globally, singles options have often struggled against mid-tier nations. The inclusion of players like Basavareddy and Banerjee would immediately strengthen India’s lineup, offering ranking security, hard-court experience, and tactical maturity.
More broadly, the PIO pathway represents a bridge between India’s domestic system and the high-performance ecosystems of the US and Europe.
PIOs have always been part of India’s tennis story first as players representing other nations, then as contributors to India’s Davis Cup campaigns, and now as potential catalysts for renewal. With clearer policy intent through Khelo Bharat Niti and growing openness from AITA, the door is no longer shut.
If players like Nishesh Basavareddy and Samir Banerjee choose to walk through it, Indian tennis could finally add the singles depth it has long lacked without losing sight of identity, fairness, or international rules.
