India, April 10 -- A group of school children struggled to get a chant going with Shrivalli Bhamadipaty's name in it. It took them a while to get "Shrivalli" into the same rhythm as the cheers commonly used on the cricket field. But on the centre court of the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, 23-year-old Shrivalli was on song.

A day after India lost their opening tie of the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 to New Zealand, the hosts took on a strong Thai team boasting of two singles players in the top 200.

Shrivalli was given the task of playing world No.170 Lanlana Tararudee - the Indian is world No.345. And the player from Hyderabad came up with a stunning 6-2, 6-4 win in 75 minutes to give India the lead in the tie.

Thailand ...