Key Points

India is set to host the Billie Jean King Cup play-off for the very first time at Bengaluru's SM Krishna Tennis Stadium. The women's tennis team led by Ankita Raina will compete against Netherlands and Slovenia in Group G matches. This marks only India's second appearance in the play-off tie after their 2021 debut against Latvia. The tournament represents a huge opportunity for the team to advance to the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers.

Key Points: Ankita Raina Leads India Billie Jean King Cup Bengaluru Play-off

  • India hosts Billie Jean King Cup play-off for first time in Bengaluru
  • Team features blend of experienced Ankita Raina and young talent Shrivalli Bhamidipaty
  • India faces Netherlands and Slovenia in Group G round-robin matches
  • Winners advance to 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers
  • Vishal Uppal captains squad with Radhika Kanitkar as coach
  • Team qualified after defeating Korea Republic in Pune April 2025
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Ankita, Shrivalli and Prarthana to lead India's campaign in Billie Jean King Cup play-off ties

India hosts Billie Jean King Cup play-off for first time with Ankita Raina, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Prarthana Thombare leading squad against Netherlands and Slovenia

"The squad boasts a healthy mix of youth and experience - All India Tennis Association"

Bengaluru, Sep 30

The All India Tennis Association has announced the final squad for the Indian women’s team, which will be participating at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Play Off that will be held at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru from November 14-16. It will be the first time that India will host the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs.

The squad boasts a healthy mix of youth and experience with the likes of Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Ankita Raina, Riya Bhatia, and Prarthana Thombare, with Vaidehi Chaudhari named as a reserve player. The squad will be captained by Vishal Uppal, while Radhika Kanitkar will be the coach.

The Indian team will commence its training for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Play-off from November 4 in Bengaluru, and joining them will be Zeel Desai and Shruti Ahlawat. One of the newest names on the Indian tennis circuit, Maaya Rajeshwaran, who was part of the squad as a reserve player when India qualified for the Play-off tie, has not been included in this squad.

India, who have been drawn in Group G, alongside Slovenia and seventh seeds Netherlands, have featured in the play-off tie only once before, in 2021, when they lost 3-1 away to Latvia.

India, Slovenia, and the Netherlands will face each other in round-robin matches, after which the group winners will advance to the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers. The other two teams will go back into their respective 2026 Regional Group I events for next season.

Earlier, in April 2025, the Indian team had put on a brilliant show in Pune when it defeated the Korea Republic 2-1, to bag second place in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1, and seal qualification for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Play-off. The Indian team had finished second behind New Zealand in April.

Considered to be the World Cup of tennis, the Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, is one of the most prestigious international tennis tournaments for women. It brings together top-ranked players from different countries to compete in a team format. The tournament is the women’s equivalent of the men's Davis Cup.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see Bengaluru hosting such a prestigious event. The Netherlands will be tough opponents but our girls have shown great potential. All the best to the team! 🤞
D
David E
Interesting mix of players. Though I wonder why Maaya Rajeshwaran was dropped after being part of the qualification squad. Hope the selection committee made the right call.
S
Shreya B
Finally some good news for Indian women's sports! The victory against Korea Republic was impressive. Hope they get good support from home crowd in Bengaluru. Let's cheer for our champions! 💪
A
Arjun K
Netherlands is seeded 7th, so it will be challenging. But playing at home gives us an advantage. Vishal Uppal is an experienced captain - hope he brings out the best in the team.
M
Michael C
Great to see women's tennis getting this platform in India. The Billie Jean King Cup is indeed the World Cup of women's tennis. Hope this inspires more young girls to take up the sport.

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