After a month-long break post the conclusion of the ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 7, Indian players are reunited once again as they prepare for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The series opener is scheduled to take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19, and the second Test will be played from September 27 at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.
Ahead of the start of the two-match Test series, former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha has warned the Rohit Sharma-led side against taking Bangladesh lightly. According to him, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side is moving in the right direction, and it won’t be easy for India to get the better of them in the upcoming two red-ball matches in front of home fans.
“They are a sub-continent team and have good spinners. If you see, Mehidy Hassan has become the man of the tournament (in a 2-0 win over Pakistan). The way he performed, he is a good batsman and a good spinner. Plus, Shakib is also there, so it won’t be that easy. It will be tricky as to how the Indian team will play against them on a particular pitch,” Ojha was quoted as saying by IANS.
“I won’t say that Bangladesh will challenge them; I will say that it will be a good fight. The way Bangladesh has defeated Pakistan in their home, they are moving in the right direction. When they come here, it will be a good series,” he added.
The 38-year-old former cricketer, who dismissed 113 batters in 24 Tests for India during his playing days, says the upcoming matches will help Indian players build momentum for the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is set to start on November 22 in Perth.
“The biggest thing is, the guys wishing to make a name for themselves—the way they will perform here, they will get in for the Australia series. We know that Australia has not won the Border Gavaskar Trophy twice at home, and they would want to get that thing right. So, this series of India against Bangladesh will build momentum for India. It’s a very important series, and I don’t think the team should take it lightly.”
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