India, Feb. 8 -- The big-serving Dhakshineswar Suresh pulled off two stunning singles wins to go with playing his part in the doubles rubber as India stunned higher-ranked Netherlands 3-2 in the Davis Cup Qualifiers Round 1 in Bengaluru on Sunday.

The win will earn India a promotion to the Qualifiers Round 2. India have never been to the second round of the Qualifiers since the new format was introduced. The 14 teams in that group will battle for a place in the elite eight-team Finals.

India were bumped up to the Qualifiers stage on the back of another significant victory over ninth seeds Switzerland in their den last September. With a storied Davis Cup history that had hit rock bottom not too long ago, these are better times for India ...