Italy, who had lost to France in the World Group quarters, will have the unfamiliarity of grasscourts, something the hosts are looking at capitalising.
Best of three set matches would be played inside two days as 24 teams will lock horns around the world on Friday and Saturday in their bid for the World Group Finals in Madrid in November.
Ramkumar Ramanathan battled hard before losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-7(2), 2-6 to Laslo Djere in the opening singles of their Davis Cup tie which lasted three hours and 11 minutes on the indoor clay court.
The reigning Asian Games champion pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan will be playing the doubles while three singles players will be Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan and Prajnesh Gunneswaran.