Chandika Hathurusingha, the head coach of Bangladesh believes that playing against India is the toughest challenge in World cricket. Bangladesh is coming into the big series, very high in confidence beating Pakistan in tests for the historic first time and that too in Pakistan’s backyard.
Bangladesh scripted history by beating Pakistan 2-0 in the 2-match series. The side was lagging in the initial parts of both games, but came back in style and won the games. Hathurusingha is hopeful that his team’s maiden Test series win over Pakistan will hold his side in good stead in the upcoming series against India.
“It (the win in Pakistan) certainly gives us a lot of confidence coming into this series,” he said on Monday. “Not because of the outcome of the series, it’s the way we played that series where we handled certain situations. We were behind the game in both Tests and then how we came back and how different people contributed at different times. There is a lot of belief in this series. I think this is probably the most rounded team that’s produced from Bangladesh.
“We have got good fast bowlers, we got a really experienced spin attack. And then in batting, we actually have good batting depth because of two reasons. One is that two of our spinners are genuine batters who have got Test hundreds and then two of our wicketkeepers are our main batters. So the batters in our team for this series are really good and that gives us a lot of confidence that we can be competitive in this series.
“Pressure is a privilege. I mean it gives us a lot more belief and something to look forward to as well. But then we really understand where we stand and our strengths and limitation, we understand that. But we are really encouraged by playing the best team in the world. Like coming to India and playing against India, that’s the best challenge you get nowadays in cricket. So playing against the best always gives you the perception of where you stand.”
Bangladesh’s spinners have always been in the limelight, but what has been exciting is their pace battery, who have stood up in the series against Pakistan. Though spin is expected to play a major role in Indian conditions, that does not take the pacers out of the game, who can always extract something out of the wickets, especially the red soil wicket, that Chennai has to offer.
Hathurusingha believes the current pace unit that Bangladesh possesses is a by-product of a lot of hard work, and especially praised the new sensation Nahid Rana. “The point of difference is the fear factor. I mean when a ball comes at 150kph, it’s very human to require a certain reaction time, so it challenges your reaction and decision-making. So, that’s an advantage when you have someone who can bowl that quickly,” said Hathurusingha.
“The specialty of Nahid is that he can bowl at 145-plus for a longer (period of time). But he’s played very little cricket, so we have to look after him. That’s an advantage regardless of the pitch and situation that he brings the fear factor to the opposition and especially when the tailenders come, you can wipe them out faster.
Shakib, the veteran spinner, who hasn’t really fired in red-ball cricket recently would be crucial for the Bangladesh side given his experience of playing in India. Hathurusingha is also confident Shakib will be able to dictate terms as he did in the past with the ball in the upcoming series.
“Shakib has always played a huge part in Bangladesh cricket whenever he is available. Obviously, he gives us the luxury to balance the team the way we want, whether we want to play an extra bowler or an extra batter, his all-round capability helps us in that. He keeps that adaptability as well as his huge experience.”
The series gets underway in Chennai on September 19th, while the 2nd test will be played in Kanpur from September 27th.
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