Indian women’s team for the Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group-1 event to be played from April 8 to April 12 at the Mhalunge Balewadi tennis complex in Pune. |
Indian women’s team will be led by Asian Games bronze medallist and India’s top-ranked singles player Ankita Raina in the Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group-1 from April 8 to April 12 at the Mhalunge Balewadi tennis complex in Pune. The other team members include Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Vaidehi Chaudhari.
India’s doubles specialist, Prarthana Thombare, who had a brilliant run in the WTA Mumbai Open, will also add experience and power to the team. Joining the India squad for the first time will be the teenage sensation Maaya Rajeshwaran. The 15-year-old, who had a sensational run in the WTA Mumbai Open in February, will be with the team as a reserve player. Former player turned coach Radhika Kanitkar Tulpule of Pune has been appointed as coach. Former Davis Cupper Vishal Uppal will be the non playing captain of the team.
India will face New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Korea Republic, Thailand and Hong Kong China in a round-robin group format with the top two teams qualifying for the play-offs scheduled for November later this year.
The Indian team will be sponsored by Suhana in the event. Pune base spice brand has come on board to ignite the campaign of the Indian team as they eye a berth in the play-offs stage for the second-time in the tournament’s history. The tournament organised by MSLTA in association with AITA and PMDTA is being hosted after a decade in India, 25 years in Maharashtra, and the first ever time in Pune.
“Suhana has been supporting junior Indian tennis through Pravin Trophy for more than three decades. We feel proud to be associated with the Indian women’s team ahead of the BKJC AO Group 1 qualifier in our home city,” Rajkumar Chordia Chairman of Suhana, said.
The director of Suhana Vishal Chordia, a former national ranked tennis player, expressed his commitment and stated, “ We are extremely delighted to come onboard as the sponsors for team India. It’s a matter of great pride and honour to support a young Indian team . I’m sure our players will flourish and fight hard for the play-offs qualification and make it to the world group play off stage.”
“Last year, India narrowly missed out on play-offs qualification as they finished third in the standings behind China and South Korea. On the final day, India was one win away from making it to the next round but were dealt a tightly contested 2-1 defeat by New Zealand. With home conditions and fans’ support expected to play a big role, India would be confident heading into the competition,” Sunder Iyer, the tournament director and Hon Secretary of MSLTA, said.
PMDTA Secretary Abhishek Tamhane said that tennis lovers will have free entry to watch the matches in this tournament.
“We have started our training in Pune for the BJKC Asia Oceania Qualifying Group. Our most important task this week is to make sure our players are healthy, fit & sharp on the court. The team is together now, and we have good energy flowing in our practice sessions,” Uppal said.
Indian squad for Billie Jean King Cup:
Players – Ankita Raina, Prarthana Thombare, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Vaidehi Chaudhari, Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi (Reserve)
Captain – Vishal Uppal
Coach – Radhika Kanitkar Tulpule
Physios -Rutuja Kulkarni and Apurva Kulkarni
