Rohan Bopanna beat James Shortall to lead India to the Davis Cup World Group play-off with a thumping 4-1 triumph over New Zealand in Kolkata on Sunday.

In the morning, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi overwhelmed Alistair Hunt and Mark Nielsen to give India a 2-1 lead in the Asia-Oceania Group I second round tie.

While Paes and Bhupathi won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 100 minutes, Bopanna took 13 minutes less to beat Shortall 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the first reverse singles on the South Club lawns, reducing the fifth match into a dead rubber.

Paes then steamrolled Robert Cheyne 6-1 6-0 in the second reverse singles.

Paes had scripted an authoritative win over Mark Nielsen on Friday, before Bopanna went down to Alistair Hunt in a gruelling five-setter the next day.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 8 Sub: Davis Cup May our pampered Cricket heroes draw a lesson from the sheer dedication and determination demonstrated by Leander Paes in winning the Davis Cup tie against ... Posted by Gautam Mookerjee Sub: We, the Indians Great victory against kiwis. we the indians are so blind for our national cricket team that forget to show minimum tribute to other sports. Don't ... Posted by ujjal das Sub: Congrats Paes is great, one of the few patriots which our country has produced. wishes for bopanna, may oneday he will take the place of Paes. ... Posted by tanmoy dey Sub: Sweet revenge What a pleasent revenge of what happened in New Zealand few months ago(in Cricket). Thanks to Leander & company for this.Congrats. Joy Posted by joy Sub: Leander Paes Dear Sir, If there is one person who deserves the Bharat Ratna it is none other than Leander Paes who seems to be a wholly ... Posted by The Informer