Sunitha Rao helped India recover from an early deficit and edge out hosts New Zealand 2-1 in their third rubber of the Fed Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Qualifiers at Wilding Park in Christchurch on Wednesday.
After Shikha Uberoi's 6-7 (5/7), 3-6 loss to local favourite Sacha Jones in the opening match, Sunitha kept alive India's chances with her impressive 6-4, 6-2 win over New Zealand's top player Leanne Baker in the second singles.
The US-based 21-year-old, who got the chance to represent India only after Sania Mirza was sidelined with a knee injury, later teamed up with Shikha to clinch a tough doubles match against Leanne and Dianne Hollands 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-1.
The hard fought rubber was India's toughest in the tournament so far as they had earlier blanked Kazakhstan and Jordan with consummate ease.
In the first singles, Shikha started well, racing to a 4-0 lead before things went horribly wrong for her and Sacha managed to stretch it to tie-breaker before running away with the set.
Shikha was even more disappointing in the second set and her erratic display allowed the Kiwi to win the set and put her side one up in the tie.
Fortunately for India, Sunitha restored parity with her comfortable win over Leanne. After winning the first set 6-4, Sunitha put up an even more improved show in the second and dropped two games before wrapping up the match.
With the doubles becoming the decider for them, the pressure began to show on Shikha and Sunitha as they lost 2-6 in the opening set.
But to their credit, they scripted a remarkable comeback after the initial jolt and kept their cool to clinch the second set tie-breaker to stay afloat.
In the third set, the Shikha-Sunitha pair looked in irresistible form and their Kiwi opponents could manage just one game in the decider.
India will next take on Chinese Taipei in their final pool 'B' encounter tomorrow, which would also decide the qualifier for the group finals to be played on April 21.
Both the teams are unbeaten in the tournament, the winner of which would be elevated to the world group II play-off to be played in July.
The final pool 'B' rubber will be India's toughest test going by Chinese Taipei's form.
The team which tops the pool will take on the topper from pool A, which comprises Thailand, Singapore, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Hong Kong (China).
