India's Davis Cup captain Leander Paes is undeterred by the recent 4-1 loss to Uzbekistan. He believes that the only way the team can get back into the World Group is by grooming the younger lot.
India, who were consistently reaching the World Group play-off a couple of years back, are staring at relegation from Group 1 in the Asia-Oceania zone.
The unfortunate turn of things was a result of Mahesh Bhupathi all but announcing his retirement from Davis Cup ties and the last-minute withdrawal of Rohan Bopanna, besides the injury to Prakash Amritraj.
India's rookie talent Karan Rastogi and Vivek Shokeen failed to win their singles matches while the doubles victory by Paes and Sunil Kumar Sipaeya was the only point that the team could snatch from Uzbekistan.
Paes said there is no dearth of talent in the country and the immediate task is to mould the fresh crop into strong singles players.
"We have a few more options in doubles (besides Sipaeya), with guys like Somdev Dev Varman and Rupesh Roy around, but it is singles which always has troubled us," Paes, who was in Jaipur for the 15th Kailshankar Durlabhji Memorial Oration 2007, said.
"After Ramesh Krishnan's exit the process of finding good singles players is still on. But the talent is here; we have to nurture it," Paes said.
"We picked Sunil because he is a left-hander ... this gives him added advantage," he added.
About Sania Mirza, Paes said she is a better player now.
"She is fitter and has lost some weight, too. The apprehensions regarding her fitness are not correct," said Paes, who had partnered her in the mixed doubles to win the gold at Doha Asian Games.
"She has been working hard on this aspect of her game. She has the talent and God's gift of amazing timing.
"She can sustain her game and there is no reason why she can't be playing for a longer period."
Asked about Mahesh Bhupathi pairing with Sania at the French Open and Wimbledon, Paes replied, "I wish all the good luck to them. Mahesh is still very fit and Sania is also in good shape. I hope they do well for the country."
