New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS): After much speculation, it was confirmed on Thursday that tennis ace Leander Paes will be back for India's Davis Cup World Group Play-off against three-time champions and top seeds Czech Republic on the outdoor hard courts of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) here from September 18 to 20.
Paes will replace Saketh Myneni as the rest of the team remains the same - Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri, according to the Davis Cup's official website.
Paes had opted out of the Group I Asia/Oceania second round tie against New Zealand in Christchurch last month, which India won 3-2, earning the right to play in the Play-off. Myneni had replaced Paes in the Anand Amritraj-captained side.
With an average age of 32.5 years, experience outweighs youth in the Indian team. Paes, aged 42, is the oldest member of the squad with Bopanna and Devvarman aged 35 and 30, respectively. The youngest member will be 23-year-old Bhambri.
Three-time champions, Czech Republic have never lost to India in Davis Cup in three meetings, although the last tie was back in 1997.