New Delhi; Three-time Grand Slam champions Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will reunite for India's Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I first round tie against Japan from February 7 to 9.

The Indian team, captained by Ramesh Krishnan, also includes upcoming youngsters Rohan Bopanna and Harsh Mankad.

Sunil Kumar Sipaeya has been named as the reserve player for the tie, which is to be played on grass.

The winning team will take on the winner of the Pakistan/New Zealand tie to be held simultaneously in New Zealand.

This will be only the second time Paes and Bhupathi will be playing together after their split in April last year. The duo had played together for India at the Busan Asian Games and won the doubles gold.

Bhupathi pulled out of last year's Davis Cup tie against Australia citing shoulder problems.

Making way for the comeback Bhupathi from the team that played Australia is Vishal Uppal.

Bopanna is the highest ranked Indian on the ATP list at 387 while Mankad is ranked 560.

Sunil Kumar won the Asian junior title in 2001.

India has played Japan 18 times and has a favourable head to head record of 16-2. The two teams last met in Osaka in 2001, which India won 2-1.

India: Ramesh Krishan (non-playing captain), Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Harsh Mankad.

Reserve: Sunil Kumar Sipaeya.

PTI