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India's top singles player Yuki Bhambri and Asian Games gold medallist Divij Sharan have pulled out of the Davis Cup World Group Play-off tie against Serbia due to injuries, while Sumit Nagal has refused to join the team as a stand-by due to prior commitments.
Sharan, who won the men's doubles gold with Rohan Bopanna in Palembang, has suffered a shoulder injury and Bhambri's knee injury flared up at the US Open, where he lost in the first round to Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Saketh Myneni, who was a reserve in the six-man squad, will now be a playing member, replacing Bhambri.
N Sriram Balaji has replaced Sharan while talented Pune player Arjun Kadhe will now travel to Kraljevo as a reserve player for the September 14-16 tie.
Asked about Nagal as a possible replacement, Misra said AITA reached out to him but he preferred to play Challenger tournaments in Poland during that time.
AITA secretary Hironmoy Chatterjee said Nagal's decision "surprised" the Federation.
Nagal, who has lost nine straight first round matches, explained the reasons for his decision. He said initially he had said no because of a shoulder problem as he was not sure about his comeback.
India captain Mahesh Bhupathi however chose to remain positive and said, "we will go and try our best to be competitive as always."
Asked to react on Nagal's refusal, Bhupathi said, "I never have a view on anything to be honest."
World number 33 Filip Krajinovic will lead the home challenge in the tie, to be played on clay courts.
The last time India played Serbia was in Bengaluru in 2014 at the World Group Play-off stage, losing 2-3.
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