Bangladesh captain says his batsmen are ready to face Ashwin & Jadeja
Kolkata: Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim is confident that his side will give a good account of themselves in the one-off test match against India, which starts at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium from February 09.
“We can guarantee that we will not surrender meekly,” commented Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim in an exclusive chat with xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi on reaching Kolkata.
Bangaldesh will be playing their first test match on Indian soil. The occasion is going to be a historic one for the Tigers. On being asked about the test match, Mushfiq said, “It is definitely going to be an historic series for us. We will be playing our first test match in India. We have to prove ourselves that we are a good side in the longer format.”
The Indian team has been on a role under Virat Kohli. The men in blue have won five test series consecutively, starting with series win against Sri Lanka in 2016. The Indian team has registered series wins against South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand and England.
“India has been doing well under Virat Kohli in all formats recently. It’s definitely going to be a tough series for us,” said Mushfiq
The biggest challenge for the Bangladesh bowlers will be to stop Virat Kohli and the Indian batting line up. The Bangladesh captain admitted it will be a tough ask for his bowlers against the Indian batting line up. According to Mushfiq, “Leave aside Virat (Kohli). The entire Indian batting lineup is strong. We have to really bowl well to throw any sort of challenge towards them.”
The Bangladesh captain also admitted that the Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Rabindra Jadeja are the best at the moment in world cricket.
“They (Ashwin and Jadeja) are the best spinner duo at the moment. It will be challenging to face them in these conditions. But it will not be a cake walk as we also have batsman like Tamim, Shaquib, Imrul, Mahmuddullah. They have all proven themselves against quality spinners,” said Mushfiq.
Bangladesh is coming behind a shattering series loss against New Zealand. On being asked to comment on the series loss to the Black Caps, Mushfiqur added, “It was a learning experience for the entire team. The test match coming up will be even more difficult as it is a one off test. We will have no time to come back in the series. Every session in the test match is going to be important for us.”
Bangladesh will be pinning their hopes on spin sensation Mehdi Hasan Miraz following the absence of Mustafizur Rahman. The lanky fast bowler is yet to recover from the shoulder operation he had recently. The 19 year old spin prodigy played an important part in Tigers registering an incredible win against England at Mirpur.
“He is fast becoming an asset for the team. There is not much of a difference between the conditions in India and Banglsdesh. Hopefully he can put up a good show,” said Mushfiq as he was in a hurry to go to the VIP lounge.
Mehdi himself feel, “It will be huge opportunity to play a test match on Indian soil.”
The fifteen member Bangladesh team reached Kolkata en-route Hyderabad. The cricketers were in a relaxed mood at the airport lounge. All rounder Shakib Al Hasan was accompanied by his wife Shishir , mother Shirin Reza and daughter Alaina Hasan Obri.
The Bangladesh cricketers will have a couple of rest days in Hyderabad before playing a two day practice match against India A at Secunderabad.