India ODI captain Rohit Sharma said his team will need to be at their best to win the three-match ODI series against hosts Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh will lock horns in the first ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Sunday.
Addressing the media in a pre-match conference, Rohit admitted that his side lack experience in Bangladesh, but that it is an environment his team are habituated with, and he expects them to play their natural game.
“I think it's going to be an exciting series as always has been. Whenever we have come to Bangladesh, they are a very challenging team and we have to play well to beat them. It is a very simple equation for us. Of course, we are playing in their own backyard, so we expect them to challenge us in every width, whether it's batting, bowling, or fielding as well. They are going to be a very competitive team. So, we have to be at our best to win the series,” said Rohit.
“But first, winning the series is what we are looking at. We are looking at one game at a time and seeing how we can play well in that game. And then think about the second and third. So, thinking too far ahead sometimes doesn't help,” the Indian opener added.
Rohit differed from his colleague Shikhar Dhawan that this series is the start to their preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023 which is around nine months away.
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“I mean, see, every time we play a game, it's a preparation for something that is going to come in the future. But the World Cup is still eight-nine months from now. We cannot think so far ahead. But yeah, we will keep an eye on what we need to do as a team, where we can improve, and how it comes along for us,” Rohit explained.
“I think it's very, very important for us not to start thinking about so many things about the World Cup; this is the combination, that is the combination, we need to play this guy, that guy. The coach and I have a fair idea about what we want to do and we will narrow it down once we get closer to the World Cup. But I think we just want to play cricket, play good cricket until the World Cup comes up.”
Apart from the playing experience, India also lack crowd support when they play Bangladesh at their backyard.
The Men in Blue are backed by their supporters in almost all corners of the world, but the scenario gets different when they visit the neighboring country.
“Yes (India will be under some pressure from the crowd). The crowd here can be intimidating. There is no doubt. They are very passionate fans of cricket and they get right behind the team. Which is pretty exciting for the team. For us, a lot of the guys are coming to Bangladesh for the first. But that doesn't change a thing,” said Rohit.
“We are used to playing in such big crowds, especially when you tour places like England and Australia, the crowd there can also be quite intimidating and they want to make sure that their team win. They want to get behind their team. It's the same thing here as well. But I think it's not going to affect our boys too much. I think they are used to being under pressure, being in front of a lot of people, and being challenged. So, I don't think that's going to make much of a difference,” he added.