When India’s opponent for its subsequent Davis Cup fixture was introduced, many would have struggled to put the tiny nation of Togo on the map, go away alone its possibilities in opposition to the host. Watching its gamers practice on the RK Khanna Stadium, nevertheless, makes it clear the Indians could have a battle on their fingers.
India captain Rohit Rajpal admits to it and his Togolese counterpart Ali Agnamba hopes for it. At stake is a spot within the World Group 1, one thing the Indians maintain flitting out and in of and the Togolese have by no means reached. Nonetheless, coming in on the again of a exceptional run of 10 wins in 11 ties offers the customer some momentum.
“Each match is completely different, each nation you play has various kinds of challenges. The great factor for us proper now could be that we’re united as a group and we’re enjoying collectively. We’re excited to be enjoying in opposition to India and we all know the house crowd goes to be behind them however we perceive,” Agnamba mentioned after an intense coaching session.
The gamers had been step by step getting used to each the circumstances and the courts, shaking off the final remnants of jetlag flying in from completely different corners of the world. Whereas three of the 4 gamers right here — Liova Ayite Ajavon, M’lapa Tingou Akomlo and Thomas Yaka Kofi Setodji — practice and coach in France, Hod’abalo isak Padio is a school scholar in USA, the place Agnamba can be primarily based.
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“That’s the worrying half. You may have a group that’s doing nicely — and so they’ve reached virtually the place we’re in the intervening time and so they’ve overwhelmed Indonesia, Latvia,these are good groups – and we don’t have a lot data on them. Usually, we’ve got the info and we’re way more assured. However now, we’re going to spend so much of time watching them, make notes and take it from there,” Rajpal admitted, keenly observing the Togo coaching whereas the Indian gamers took a brief lunch break.
World No. 73 Togo’s final match was in opposition to Latvia, ranked 27 locations larger, and received 4-0. India is additional up, at 38. “You’re not going to get a simple match wherever anymore. Clearly, these guys are right here for a purpose. They’ll play and it’s not one match that they received, they’ve overwhelmed a number of good nations, it’s critical enterprise. I undoubtedly anticipate a tricky match,” Rajpal mentioned.
The preparations have additionally been contrasting. Whereas the Indians bought collectively final week, the Togolese had been full energy for the primary time solely on Tuesday. “We simply bought right here collectively. When we’ve got a contest like this, we’ll are available in per week earlier to coach however everyone knows one another, we talk by way of group chats. So, regardless that we might not be collectively on the identical place on a regular basis, we all know what everyone is doing. It’s not tough. Tennis is a person sport, everyone has their very own means of preparing. As captain of the group, I’m simply making an attempt to determine what they should prepare. These guys have been doing it for the previous three years,” Agnamba defined.