New Delhi, Mar 23: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will lead India's challenge in the second round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 1 match against Japan with young bloods Prakash Amritraj, Rohan Bopanna and Harsh Mankad rallying behind them to maintain their supremacy over the other Asian nation. The All India Tennis Association today announced the team for the second round of the tournament to be played on April 9 to 11 at the Osaka city Utsubo Tennis Centre.

India enjoy a clear advantage over Japan and past records too favour them.

The last time they meet at Osaka was in 2001 when India scripted a 3-2 victory. Last year, Japan were handed a 1-4 defeat when they came here to play India. Bureau Report