Lillehammer (Norway), Sep 17 (Ians) Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni put up a strong fight but lost to US Open finalist Casper Ruud and Viktor Durasovic as India slumped to an unassailable 0-3 deficit against Norway in the Davis Cup World Group, First Round match here on Saturday.

Bhambri and Myneni came back strongly after losing the first set to win the second but down in the third to lose 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 in a two-hour encounter at the Hakans Hall in Lillehammer.

Trailing 0-2 after India’s top singles player Prajnesh Gunneswaran went down to Ruud, the World No. 2 in Atp Rankings, in straight sets — 6-1, 6-4 and then Ramkumar Ramanathan too slumped to the same scoreline against Viktor Durasovic.

India’s hopes of making a fightback depended on the doubles combination of Bhambri and Myneni, which has won six titles in the last year or so.

With senior doubles...