India take on hosts South Africa in the Davis Cup tie on Friday. India's No. 1 Single player Somdev Devvarman will have the opportunity to put the side one up when he faces Izak Der Merwe of South Africa in the Opening Singles. Somdev goes into the match as the favourite, having beaten Izak four weeks ago in an ATP challenger in California. Mahesh Bhupathi said he would miss Leander Pes, who was forced to pull out after he suffered a shoulder injury during the recent US Open in New York. South Africa lead India 2-0 in head to head clashes.