On Wednesday, then, the question was tossed to him. Is Fazaluddin playing ? ``No, he is not,'' Nayeemuddin said. ``India is playing.''

Such patriotic spirit earned Nayeemuddin many laurels in his sport. It would, hopefully, be the key ingredient in his son's repertoire when he goes out for the second singles in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie against China tomorrow. ``It is a dream come true for me,'' Fazaluddin said while addressing his biggest press meet to date.

In a way, Fazaluddin is lucky because the courts, the environment, the people are all familiar. To top it all, he has been drawn to play the second rubber against the Chinese number one, Zhu Ben-Qiang, while 25-year-old veteran Leander Adrian Paes goes in firstagainst the number two, Zhang Yu.Paes will know a thing or two about Davis Cup because for the last nine years, he has been in a team which has perennially been termed underdog, and still managed great wins. This time, however, it is the Indians who will be wary of the Chinese. There is absolutely no information forthcoming on them. ``In such matches, you always seek to dominate,'' Paes said. ``You have to stamp your authority quickly. The good thing is I'm feeling good and sharp and ready to go.''