Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna are currently the best doubles team in the country, emphasised India's Davis Cup captain Anand Amritraj.
The 2014 Davis Cup world group playoff tie between India and Serbia is set to begin on Friday in Bangalore. India will enter the tie with Paes and Bopanna featuring in the doubles and Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri earmarked for singles.
With world no.1 Novak Djokovic pulling out of the contest due to fatigue, India's chances have brightened. But the tie could very well hinge on the doubles result, and Amritraj stressed that India is well-equipped for such a scenario, with the best possible team representing the country in the doubles.
"Doubles has always been crucial for us in the Davis Cup. And this time we have Leander and Rohan - the best team in the country. They both have vast experience in doubles in the international stage and we are confident of our chances," the Indian captain told reporters on Wednesday.
Paes and Bopanna will take on Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac, who had beaten the world number one team of the Bryan brothers in an epic Davis Cup quarterfinal in April last year.
Paes pointed out that he is ready to let Bopanna take the lead and play his natural, aggressive style of tennis. Bopanna had refused to team up with Paes at the 2012 London Olympics, but, yet, the veteran was all praise for the 2010 US Open finalist.
"Rohan is one of the best doubles players we have here. He has the skills, the mindset and the game to win a Grand Slam. I have always wanted to work with him, though we have not had a chance to do that so far," Paes said.
"Now I'm excited to play with him on his home turf. We are both looking forward to our match. I just need to build that certain level of understanding with him. We just need to set up a strategy for the Serbians."
Bopanna also expressed his delight at partnering Paes, and weighed in on the role the 14-time Grand Slam winner will play throughout the tournament.
"Leander has the experience. He has been in so many match situations and the inputs he has are important. He has done it for so many years and his presence itself is a boost for the team."
The 34-year-old also explained why the team chose Bangalore as the venue, and stressed on the importance of crowd support.
"The altitude and conditions here suit our game. The surface is quicker, and the ball moves quicker. And all these elements played a factor in our decision. People in Bangalore like their tennis. We expect good support here for all the matches and hopefully, the crowd will play a part in the results."
Meanwhile, Devvarman played down suggestions that the weather and conditions will make things very difficult for Serbia, and give an edge to the hosts.
"With the matches being played in the evenings, the weather will not play a big part this time. It will all come down to your mentality to fight and play well for your team. We are all good athletes and I feel both teams have an equal chance here," the 29-year-old stated.
Bhambri, who will also be in action the singles, dismissed injury and fitness concerns, which have troubled him a lot in recent years.
"I'm feeling good. The body is holding up. I thought I did well in Shanghai. The Davis Cup is a different ball game but I'm hoping to do well here," the former junior no. 1 said.
