BJK Cup 2025: India Look To Make A Mark In Asia-Oceania Group-1 At Home

With India hosting the Asia-Oceania Group-1 round of Billie Jean King Cup 2025 for the first time, the hosts will be looking to capitalise on home conditions.

With India hosting the Asia-Oceania Group-1 round of Billie Jean King Cup 2025 for the first time, the hosts will be looking to capitalise on home conditions to make a mark for themselves in the prestigious tournament. Organised by MSLTA in association with AITA at the tennis stadium at the Balewadi Sports complex in Pune, the Billie Jean King Cup is the equivalent to the Davis Cup of men's tennis, the biggest team competition for the distaff side of the game. The Indian team will clash against New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic, Thailand and Hong Kong China in the round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the tournament for a spot in the play-offs stage.

"Everyone is looking forward to the tournament, and I think we are prepared. The team is bonding well, too, and we are waiting to get started. I would just tell them (the younger players) that you are playing for the country. Give your best. It's a lot of people's dream to be here and to be in this position. So just give your best, enjoy every moment out there. Don't worry about the result," said Ankita Raina, India's top-ranked singles player.

India's No. 1 Ankita Raina will lead the charge alongside Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Vaidehi Chaudhari and doubles veteran Prarthana Thombare. Maaya Rajeshwaran, the 15-year-old sensation, joins the team as the reserve player. Vishal Uppal will be the captain of the team, and Radhika Kanitkar Tulpule has been appointed as the coach.

"We all understand how each of us functions in the team, and we work accordingly. I think that's been the biggest plus point for us. And obviously, the seniors being on the tour for so long, they kind of give us good advice about when to do what. We're looking forward to some good competition, and I think we have a pretty strong team," said Shrivalli Bhamidipaty.

Apart from the members of the Indian team, all eyes would be on Lulu Sun of New Zealand, the top-ranked singles player of the entire tournament.

Ranked World No. 45 in Singles, Lulu Sun has won seven singles and four doubles titles in the ITF Circuit. In 2024, she also became the first woman from her country to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.