Given their bitter experiences in the past, Bangladesh had every right to be concerned over whether India would send a full-strength side for the upcoming home series. The last time the Tigers faced India in a bilateral series at home, the visitors had sent a second-string side. Many were upset but had to maintain their silence, probably due to the might of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
This time however, there proved to be no surprises as BCCI announced a full-strength side for the tour of Bangladesh, comprising one Test and three one-day internationals. Consequently, the Bangladesh cricketers expressed their utmost pleasure over the BCCI’s decision, sensing that the upcoming home series would be a great opportunity to show their mettle against the two-time world champions.
“Everyone was hoping for their best team. They finally did it. It will be a challenging series for us. It will show where we are standing at the moment,” Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza told the media yesterday.
Against all speculations and rumours, BCCI named Virat Kohli the Test captain following the retirement of MS Dhoni. The ODI side, meanwhile, will be skippered by Dhoni. Both the Test and ODI squads are formidable to say the least. While the Test side boast regulars like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, the ODI team feature seniors like Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“I hope we will be able to continue our rich vein of form at home. Any Indian team are tough, especially at these kinds of conditions. As it is their full-strength team, the challenge is even greater,” said Mashrafe.
Mashrafe informed that a tough challenge awaits the Tigers bowlers, considering the batting strength of the Indian side.
“Their ODI squad is quite identical to the one that played in the [2015 ICC] World Cup. Only [Mohammad] Shami is not there due to injury. Their batting is undoubtedly the world’s best. It will be a huge challenge for our bowlers,” he said.
The last time Bangladesh encountered India in a bilateral series, the latter registered a 2-0 win in the three-match ODI series in Dhaka last year in June. The second-string Indian side, led by Raina, were largely unhindered on their way to a series victory as Bangladesh plumbed to a new low, having been skittled out for 58 in one of those three ODIs.
Times though, they are a changing.
Ever since the Zimbabwe series at home in November last year, the Tigers have displayed brilliant cricket. The ensuing World Cup was another memorable outing for the Tigers as they reached their first ever quarter-final. The World Cup was followed by another impressive performance in the recently concluded Pakistan series.
“We are not worried about their strength. We just want to focus on our strength and play our natural cricket. We want to stick to the basics that earned us wins in the past,” opener Anamul Haque told the media yesterday.
Anamul, who recently recovered from a right shoulder injury incurred during the World Cup against Scotland in March, added that he is working hard to get back to the national fold.
“I have been working hard, knowing that it would be tough for me to return to the national team. But, I am waiting for my turn and if it comes, I will not let it go,” said Anamul.
India will arrive in Dhaka on June 7.
