Leander Paes rallies India for Davis Cup Korea tie: 'Play for the Tiranga'
Synopsis
With India one win away from becoming the first Asian team to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 since 2022, Leander Paes has delivered a stirring video message urging the squad to 'play for the Tiranga' in Seoul. The tie also marks the debut of 18-year-old Manas Dhamne, who has rocketed from outside the ATP Top 500 to World No. 369 in a single year.
Key Takeaways
Leander Paes released a video backing India ahead of their Davis Cup 2nd Round Qualifier against South Korea on Friday, 19 September 2026 in Seoul .
The winner advances as the first Asian team to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 since the format was introduced in 2022 .
Both teams beat seeded opponents 3-2 in the previous round — India over the Netherlands , Korea over Argentina .
India leads their recent rivalry despite trailing overall 6-5 , winning 3-1 in 2014 and 4-1 in 2016 .
Manas Dhamne , 18 , earns his maiden Davis Cup call-up; he rose from outside the ATP Top 500 to World No.
Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha replaces the injured Yuki Bhambri in India's squad.
Tennis legend Leander Paes has thrown his weight behind the Indian Davis Cup team ahead of their Qualifiers 2nd Round clash against South Korea on Friday, 19 September 2026, at the Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center. The winner will become the first Asian team to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 since the revamped format was introduced in 2022.
Paes's Message to the Team
'Wishing all of you good luck against South Korea in the Davis Cup. Playing in Seoul is always a tough task, but we've always done well. I'm so proud of all of you, and we're all behind you, supporting you. Play strong, play for each other, and play for the Tiranga. God bless, guys,' Paes said in a video shared by the All India Tennis Association (AITA). The rallying call from the 18-time Grand Slam doubles champion — India's most decorated Davis Cup player — carries significant weight for a squad heading into hostile territory.
How Both Teams Got Here
Both nations pulled off 3-2 upsets in the previous round to advance. India stunned the Netherlands in Bengaluru, while Korea edged past Argentina in Busan. The back-to-back upsets set up a mouth-watering all-Asia decider, with a historic Final 8 berth on the line.
The head-to-head record slightly favours Korea at 6-5, but India has won the last two encounters — 3-1 in 2014 and 4-1 in 2016. After a decade-long gap, the two rivals meet again on the same hard courts of the Olympic Park Tennis Center where those earlier battles unfolded.
India's Squad and a Debutant to Watch
India's squad, led by captain Rohit Rajpal, features Sumit Nagal, Manas Dhamne, N Sriram Balaji, and Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha. Poonacha comes in as an eleventh-hour replacement for Yuki Bhambri, who pulled out due to injury.
The most compelling subplot is the debut of Manas Dhamne, 18, from Maharashtra, who receives his maiden Davis Cup call-up. He began 2026 outside the ATP Top 500 but has surged to World No. 369 and is currently India's No. 3 singles player — a rapid rise that places him among the sport's most-watched young talents.
Korea's Line-Up and Home Advantage
The hosts are led by captain Jong-Sam Chung and will field Hyeon Chung, Uisung Park, Jisung Nam, and Seongchan Hong. Playing at home on a surface they know well, Korea will be buoyed by partisan support inside the Seoul Olympic Park. Notably, Hyeon Chung — a former ATP Top 20 player — brings considerable big-match experience to the Korean side.
What Hangs in the Balance
A win for India would mark a defining moment for the country's tennis programme — a Final 8 appearance would be its first under the current format and a validation of the AITA's investment in younger talent. For Korea, advancing would equally represent a landmark result in Asian tennis. With stakes this high, Paes's rallying message could not have come at a better time. The tie begins Friday, and all of Indian tennis will be watching.
Point of View
Without Bhambri, and under the weight of a genuinely historic opportunity.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Leander Paes say to the Indian Davis Cup team?
Paes urged the squad to 'play strong, play for each other, and play for the Tiranga' in a video shared by the All India Tennis Association ahead of the Korea tie in Seoul. He acknowledged that 'playing in Seoul is always a tough task' but expressed confidence based on India's past record there.
Why is the India vs Korea Davis Cup tie so significant?
The winner will become the first Asian team to qualify for the Davis Cup Final 8 since the revamped format was introduced in 2022. Both nations also advanced via 3-2 upsets in the previous round, raising the stakes further.
Who is Manas Dhamne and why is his call-up notable?
Manas Dhamne is an 18-year-old tennis player from Maharashtra receiving his first-ever Davis Cup call-up. He began 2026 outside the ATP Top 500 but has climbed to World No. 369, making him India's No. 3 singles player — one of the fastest rises on the tour this year.
What is India's head-to-head record against South Korea in Davis Cup?
South Korea leads the all-time head-to-head 6-5, but India has won the last two meetings — 3-1 in 2014 and 4-1 in 2016. The two sides are resuming their rivalry after a decade-long gap.
Who replaced Yuki Bhambri in India's Davis Cup squad?
Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha was named as an eleventh-hour replacement after Yuki Bhambri withdrew from the squad due to injury ahead of the Seoul tie.
