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In its debut appearance, India caused a sensation by steamrolling the mighty French en route to the semi final. Since then India has been able to hold their own against more fancied nations, riding on flashes of individual brilliance.
In the 1960s India repeatedly became the Zonal Champions and played the Inter - Zonal finals. In 1966, India made history by reaching the Cup finals when Ramanathan Krishnan teamed with Premjit Lal, S. P. Misra and Jaidip Mukherjea. Even though they lost the Cup, the Krishnan and Mukerjea duo upset the Wimbledon Champions New Combe and Tony Roche (1965) in doubles.
In 1974, India, possessing an awesome double pair in Vijay and Anand Amritraj, made it to the Davis Cup final for the second time. Despite being in contention for the coveted title, India refused to play their opponent South Africa in protest of the racist colonial rule prevailing in the latter.
The 1980s saw the emergence of Ramesh Krishnan who played a pivotal role in steering India to its third Davis Cup final by getting the better of seasoned Aussie Wally Masur in straight sets. Eventually India lost to Sweden. Even though India has not tasted major success in Davis Cup since then, Leander Paes' heroics against fancied rivals have brought laurels to the country.
