As India prepares to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, starting September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, skipper Rohit Sharma has addressed the media regarding the upcoming challenge. In a pre-match press conference, he emphasized that while every team aims to beat India, the focus for his side remains firmly on their own performance.
India’s Focus Amid External Pressure
Rohit Sharma’s comments come in response to Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s assertion that his team will strive to win both matches in the series. Shanto expressed confidence following a successful series against Pakistan, stating, “This will be a challenging series for us… Every series is an opportunity, and we will play to win both matches.”
Rohit acknowledged the competitive spirit of teams facing India but reiterated that external comments do not influence their strategy. “Every team wants to beat India; they all enjoy that; lene do maje (let them enjoy),” he said. He further added, “We have played a lot of cricket against a variety of teams. We will focus on our own game. We don’t strategize differently whether it is Bangladesh, Australia, or any other team.”
Learning from Past Series
Reflecting on past encounters, Rohit noted that England had also made bold statements during their five-match Test series earlier this year. However, he maintained that the Indian team‘s approach remains consistent regardless of the opposition’s rhetoric. “When England came, they also spoke a lot in the press conferences, but we do not focus on that. We try to play good cricket and not think too much about opposition,” he stated.
This mindset is crucial as India looks to maintain its dominance at home, where they have not lost a Test series since 2012. The upcoming matches against Bangladesh present an opportunity for India to further solidify their position in the World Test Championship standings.
Bangladesh’s Confidence Boost
On the other hand, Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed optimism about his team’s prospects against India. He acknowledged the challenge posed by India’s formidable record but highlighted the confidence gained from their recent performances. “If we can do our job properly, certainly a good result is possible,” he said.
Shanto’s comments reflect a growing belief within the Bangladesh camp as they aim to secure their first-ever Test victory against India. Historically, India has dominated this matchup with 11 wins and two draws in 13 encounters.
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