Hewitt may play Davis Cup doubles against India

Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald has hinted that world number one Lleyton Hewitt could be asked to play doubles as well as singles in this weekend's World Group qualifier against India.

Fitzgerald said he would not make a final decision on the doubles pairing until after Friday's opening day singles matches but said it was possible Hewitt could play both.

"It's not beyond the realms of possibility," Fitzgerald told The Australian.

"We're going to get him to practise in doubles as well as singles. We just want to keep our options open."

Although Fitzgerald hasn't announced his singles lineup either, Hewitt and big-serving left-hander Wayne Arthurs are certain to play on Friday with one of them backing up the next day as Todd Woodbridge's doubles partner.

Arthurs and Woodbridge have been used as Australia's main doubles team in recent years but Fitzgerald may allow Hewitt to play if Australia are 2-0 ahead after the first day.

Fitzgerald said after Hewitt won Wimbledon in July that he could have the Sunday off to play an Australian Rules charity match on the provision that Australia held an unbeatable 3-0 lead heading into the final day.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Ramesh Krishnan said he would wait until Thursday before finalising his lineup with veteran Leander Paes now expected to play both singles and doubles after the withdrawal of the their top player Mahesh Bhupathi, who aggravated a shoulder injury in winning the U.S. Open doubles title.

The Indians are underdogs to win the tie without a singles player ranked in the world's top 400 but Krishnan said his team had not given up hope.

"We know we're in over our heads but we'll give it our best shot," he told the Adelaide Advertiser.

"We're not going to concede anything. Lleyton has done well in Brazil in Davis Cup and in Spain so he's been through the grind. The thing is not to just give it up to him, let him come up with it."