Playing India in India, that's the best challenge in cricket: Hathurusingha

Bangladesh’s head coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes the current Test set-up is the “most rounded team” Bangladesh have ever produced, and their historic win in Pakistan has given his team a “lot of belief” ahead of the two-match Test series against India, starting on September 19 in Chennai. Bangladesh are yet to beat India in a Test match. In fact, India have won all of their last 17 Test series at home.

"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,” Cricbuzz quoted Hathurusingha as saying.

"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 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 have always had a spin-dominated bowling unit, but in the last few years, many talents have emerged in the pace department. In Nahid Rana, Bangladesh have someone who can regularly touch 145 KMPH. Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed did well in Pakistan, where Bangladesh won the series 2-0.

"The point of difference is the fear factor. I mean when a ball comes at 150kph, it's very human nature 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 another 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 our depth in fast bowling.”

Talking about Bangladesh’s ace spin-bowling all-rounders - Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan, Hathurusingha said: "He (Shakib) is in good shape so he brings a lot into the team, even apart from his skillset. 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.

"Miraz (Mehidy), I would say, is the most improved Bangladeshi cricketer in the last five years. He's ready to take over when Shakib moves out. He has developed his batting and obviously his bowling has always been his strength number one. And he's a gun fielder.”

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