BUCHAREST (Romania): India will challenge a formidable Romania for a place in the Davis Cup World Group with in-form teenager Somdev Devvarman as their trump card in the crucial World Group play-off tie starting here on Friday.

India’s Mahesh Bhupathi celebrates after winning the Davis Cup doubles match against Romania’s Adrian Cruciat and Horia Tecau in Bucharest on September 20, 2008

India’s Mahesh Bhupathi celebrates after he and his teammate Leander Paes won a point during their Davis Cup doubles match against Romania’s Adrian Cruciat and Horia Tecau in Bucharest on September 20, 2008.

Leander Paes has been down a few times in life, but never out. The strong desire to fulfil ambitions and the ability to look at the brighter side have pulled him through many a mental and physical crisis. Look at the present, for instance. Rudely jolted and pushed to a corner by a players’ revolt, Paes showed some defiance before putting his hands up. His captaincy was unacceptable to his Davis Cup teammates and he had to resign.