BANGKOK, Jan 29: Australia face a challenge in seeking to reclaim their place among the Fed Cup elite after draw with India in the Asia/Oceania zone group I in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Australia, who lost their top player Samantha Stosur to an injury received in the Australian Open, drew against India, New Zealand and Indonesia.

Captain David Taylor said his side were in a tough draw with Sania Mirza playing for India, but added that he still expected to return to the World Group after being knocked out last year by Ukraine.

Alicia Molik, Nicole Pratt, Casey Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs were named for the Australia squad.

The tournament’s first seed will play New Zealand in the opening match on Wednesday, while host nation Thailand will play Hong Kong.

Second seed Taipei will play Uzbekistan while India take on Indonesia.

In group II, South Korea will take Syria, Turkmenistan will play Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka will play Singapore.—AFP