Indian team in Australia
for Davis Cup tie

The Indian tennis team arrived in Adelaide more in hope than expectation on Sunday to finalise their preparations for next week's Davis Cup world group qualifier against Australia.

"We are very much the underdogs so they [India's players] need to prepare themselves well," India's non-playing captain Ramesh Krishnan told reporters.

"Sometimes we have played matches as underdogs and it has worked in our favour, so you never know."

India's slim hopes of an upset suffered a setback on Friday when top doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi withdrew because of a shoulder problem.

Krishnan tried to persuade Bhupathi to travel to Adelaide with the squad in case there would be a late improvement in his shoulder but Bhupathi, ranked fourth in the world in doubles, stayed behind to save himself for the Asian Games in South Korea.

Bhupathi was replaced by Vishal Uppal in an Indian team that does not have a singles player ranked in the top 400 in the world. The Australians boast world number one and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt in their side.

"Australia has always been tough; it is a good team and always a bit tougher when they play at home," Krishnan said.

"Definitely we have our work cut out for us."

The winner of the September 20-22 tie will remain in the World Group next season while the loser is relegated.