Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has expressed his confidence in the current squad, describing it as the “most well-rounded” Bangladesh team he has witnessed. Ahead of their Test series against India, Hathurusinghe praised the team’s recent performances, especially the historic win in Pakistan. This victory has given the team a significant confidence boost as they face the challenging conditions in India.
“The win in Pakistan certainly gives us a lot of confidence coming into this series,” Hathurusinghe remarked. “It’s not just the result but the way we handled critical situations in both Tests. The contributions from different players have bolstered our belief.”
Key Players and Their Impact
Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mushfiqur Rahim are expected to play crucial roles in the series.Â
Hathurusinghe emphasised Shakib’s importance, calling him a game-changer who brings balance to the team.
“Shakib gives us the luxury to adapt our strategy, whether we want to play extra bowlers or batters due to his all-round capabilities,” he said.
Mehidy, whom Hathurusinghe described as “the most improved Bangladesh cricketer in the last five to six years,” has developed into a reliable player.
His batting has significantly improved, making him a key asset both with the bat and ball.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who averages 55.16 in Tests in India, is another player the team is banking on.
Hathurusinghe compared his meticulous preparations to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.Â
“Mushfiq is a thorough professional when it comes to cricket,” Hathurusinghe noted, highlighting his dedication and skill.
The Road Ahead Against India
Despite losing all three of their previous Tests in India, Bangladesh aims to present a stronger challenge this time.Â
Hathurusinghe is optimistic about the team’s chances, citing the squad’s depth in both batting and bowling.
With experienced spinners like Shakib and Mehidy, who are also capable batters, and wicket keepers Litton Das and Mushfiqur as key batsmen, the team appears well-balanced.
Hathurusinghe concluded, “This is probably the most well-rounded team Bangladesh has produced.
We have a good mix of fast bowlers, experienced spinners, and batting depth, giving us confidence to be competitive in this series.”
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