Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes that his team will take a lot of belief from their first-ever 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan to challenge India on its home turf in the two-match series. He asserted that the current team is the most balanced red-ball side that the country has ever produced. Former Sri Lankan all-rounder mentioned that both victories came from behind for them, giving them a morale boost ahead of the high-stake series against the World Test Championship (WTC) toppers.

“It (the win in Pakistan) certainly gives us a lot of confidence coming into this series. 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 who contributed at different times. A lot of belief in this series. I think this is probably the most rounded team that’s produced from Bangladesh,” Hathurusingha said in the press conference.

The visiting head coach detailed that they have all the required firepower in their arsenal in three departments to outclass any opponent, adding that playing against India will give them a clear picture of their strengths.

“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,” he said.

“Pressure is a privilege. I mean it gives us a lot more belief and something to look forward 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,” Hathurusingha added.

While both teams acknowledge that facing spinners will be the bigger challenge, neither side would deny that their pacers will also play a crucial role. Hathurusingha credits Bangladesh’s current pace attack as the result of significant effort and gave special praise to rising speedster 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 speciality 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. It’s a long process. It just didn’t happen overnight. Previous coaches before me have done a lot of work and even the board invested in programmes at finding fast bowlers.

“I know the domestic cricket had some rules that you have to keep an amount of grass (for pacers). They changed the ball (in domestic cricket). So all these factors, I think, helped the fast bowlers to enjoy their cricket and have success. And we have a few fast bowlers back home and actually one of our best bowlers is still injured. So, when all of these guys are available, it’s really pleasing to see the depth we have in fast bowling,” he added.

The first Test between India and Bangladesh will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from Thursday.

IPL stalwarts Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu want a higher player retention ahead of the 2025 IPL auction as an unchanged core allows teams to excel in the world’s biggest T20 competition. The IPL had allowed the teams to retain up to four players in the last mega auction held in 2022. A three-year cycle has ended and another mega auction is on the horizon but teams have contrasting views on player retention. Some want as many as eight and some are okay with four or five.

The IPL Governing Council is yet to decide on the matter.

“Personally I feel retentions have to be a lot more because a franchise invests a lot on player, the core of the team is what makes every team unique in the IPL so me the longer the core remains the culture of the team remains.

“There is a great chance of success. Retentions have to be and there needs be lot of retentions. It can’t be one or two. All the important players should be retained,” said Rayudu, who would be turning up for Konark Suryas Odisha in the Legends League Cricket beginning September 20.

Sitting alongside Rayudu, Raina could not agree more with his former Chennai Super Kings teammate.

“I 100 percent agree with Rayudu. The mega auction should be every three years. The IPL Governing Council will do what is best for the game,” said Raina.

Gill should be the next T20 captain

The BCCI recently appointed Suryakumar Yadav as the India T20 captain ahead of Hardik Pandya. He is expected to lead India in the next T20 World Cup in 2026. However, Raina sees vice-captain Shubman Gill leading the team for a long time.

“Shubman Gill is a super star. Gill is vice captain it means someone is thinking about him. If he does well in the IPL and win the trophy he is the future (captaincy). He will be the next super star,” said Raina.

Raina is also excited about Rishabh Pant‘s return to Test cricket after close to two years.

“He is looking very good. He scored a fifty in Duleep Trophy. He has been keeping well. When you talk about a Test match you play it session by session.

“Bangladesh have done well against Pakistan. They have got good spinners, it will be interesting to see how the Indians bat against them,” added Raina ahead of the first Test beginning in Chennai on Thursday. 

Rohit Sharma (L) and Jasprit Bumrah© X (formerly Twitter)