Riya Bhatia has been brought back into the national team for the Billie Jean King Cup World Group Play-Off tennis event to be staged at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru from November 14 to 16.
The selection committee of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), with Nandan Bal as the Chairman, discussed on Tuesday, in arriving at the single change. Riya replaces Vaidehee Chaudhari from the team that qualified in Pune.
Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare retain their place in the squad.
Vaidehee has been kept as a reserve player, and the AITA has also invited Zeel Desai and Shruti Ahlawat to be part of the preparatory camp scheduled in Bengaluru from November 4. Vishal Uppal and Radhika Kanitkar will continue to be the captain and coach of the team.
In the release announcing the selection, the secretary general of AITA, Anil Dhupar, stated that ranking, performance and availability were considered in making the team.
The new sensation in Indian women’s tennis, Maaya Rajeshwaran, was part of the squad, even though she did not make the playing team for the last event in Pune.
The team:
Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Ankita Raina, Riya Bhatia, Prarthana Thombare.
Reserve: Vaidehee Chaudhari.
Captain: Vishal Uppal; Coach: Radhika Kanitkar.
Published on Sep 29, 2025