India’s home season begins Thursday with the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. The Bangla Tigers are coming into the series following a famous series win against Pakistan. It’s a no-brainer that the visitors will challenge Rohit Sharma & Co with their spin attack on the Chepauk track but head coach Gautam Gambhir believes that the Indian batters are ready to negate quality spin bowling.
India batters, including star batter Virat Kohli, struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in the ODI series last month, leading to a tinge of apprehension ahead of the Bangladesh rubber. However, Gambhir feels that his batting unit has all bases covered when it comes to taking on Bangladesh spinners.
“Our batting unit has so much quality that it can take on any spin unit. There is a lot of difference between ODIs and Tests. It’s all about the mindset and working and strengthening your defence and once you have it, then you play around it,” Gambhir told the media on the eve of the opening Test.
“They have a very good bowling attack. Shakib (Al Hasan) has got the experience. Mahidi (Hasan) is there as well. So, we know that there is talent in Bangladesh. The important thing is that we need to be switched on from day one,” he added.
Gambhir heaped praise on the Indian bowling attack, calling it a world-class bowling unit which is gradually wiping away a nation’s obsession with batting.
“You’ve got to give credit to (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj, (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja. They’re turning this nation into a bowling-obsessed one.
“Bumrah is the best bowler in the world. It’s not just his performance. It’s his hunger as well. And the best part is that he wants to play as much Test cricket as he can. It is not even a luxury. He can make a difference at any stage of the game. So yes, hopefully, he can do the same in this series and going forward as well,” said Gambhir.
The 42-year-old asserted that lead spinners Ashwin and Jadeja will continue to play a massive role in the series and future, considering their ability to pick 20 wickets and their versatility.
“We know how they can contribute on day one (of a match) because potentially the most important thing is that you should have the ability to bowl defensive and you should have the ability to bowl attacking stuff as well.
“Both those guys can do that on day one to day five as well. So, I feel that we are going to have an attack which can take 20 wickets. Those two guys are going to create a lot of impact in Indian conditions,” he elaborated.
(With PTI Inputs)
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