Ahead of the Indore Test between India and Bangladesh, the hosts’ captain Virat Kohli has revealed the name to whom they need to pay extra attention in this Test series.
The two-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors Bangladesh will begin on Thursday (14th November). Holkar Stadium (Indore) will host the first Test of this series before the historic day-night Test at Eden Gardens (Kolkata).
All the left-handed pacers we usually play are different bowlers from Mustafizur Rahman – Virat Kohli
After taking rest in the entire three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh, Indian captain Virat Kohli is returning in this Test series. Ahead of the Indore Test, Kohli claimed that they would be extra careful about the Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The Indian captain believes that Mustafizur is different bowler than the other left-handed bowlers they have usually faced.
Virat Kohli said, “He [Mustafizur]is a very good bowler. He has played several matches with red ball. All the left-handed pacers we usually play are different bowlers from him. You need to pay extra attention to him. Because we don’t play left-arm pacers usually because we don’t have anyone in the team. It will be a challenge but we are looking forward to this challenge.”
However, Mustafizur Rahman ended the recently concluded three-match T20I series with the wicketless bowling figures. The left-arm pacer failed to open his wicket column in all the three matches of that series. But, before that series, he was in good touch.
Apart from playing 56 ODIs and 37 T20Is, Mustafizur has also played 13 Tests. While the left-arm pacer has taken 107 ODI wickets and 52 T20I wickets, he has also scalped 28 Test wickets.
Mustafizur Rahman will be a threat to us, important to Bangladesh
Virat Kohli has clarified that they are not scaring to face the left-arm pacer like Mustafizur Rahman. Talking about to handle him, Kohli has pointed out to focus the bowler consistently.
The Indian captain said, “It is not like we left devastated against the left-handed bowlers. However, it seems difficult for us to play them. Because, we don’t play left-handed pace regularly. He will be a threat to us, important to Bangladesh. He has experience. He knows about the Indian batsmen playing in the IPL. But we also played a lot against him. I think focus and focus will be important.”
Till the date, India and Bangladesh have played nine Tests where India won seven games and two had the draw results. They have played only one Test in India in February 2017 and India thrashed the visitors by 208 runs.