Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has fired a strict warning to India ahead of their T20I series. Shanto has made it very clear that Bangladesh will be playing an aggressive brand of cricket and are determined to win the series. Following the conclusion of the exciting Test series, India and Bangladesh will face off in a three-match T20I series. The series is set to begin on Saturday, October 6th, at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior.
Bangladesh suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Test series against India. Najmul Hossain Shanto's team will be eager to make a strong impression and conclude the tour on a positive note by winning the T20I series.
Bangladesh have announced a promising squad for the T20I series against India. The team, featuring several young players, is eager to make a strong statement by winning the opening match of the series against India in Gwalior. India, too, has selected a youthful squad, setting the stage for an exciting series.
Najmul Hossain Shanto's fires warning to Team India
Ahead of the first match, Bangladesh skipper Shanto expressed his team's determination to win the series. He highlighted the fresh energy brought by the new players and their aspiration to play high-quality cricket. Shanto acknowledged Bangladesh's struggles in the Test series but emphasised that T20 cricket presents a different challenge. In a press conference, he elaborated on his team's approach.
"We are looking to win this series, to be very honest. We want to play aggressive cricket. In our last World Cup, we had a good opportunity to reach the semi-finals, but we missed out. This is a new team, and I hope all the players will play some good cricket here," the 26-year-old said.
"We all know we didn't play our best cricket in the Tests, but we’re not dwelling on that. T20 is a different ball game. Whoever plays well on the day, wins. It’s not about past performances," he added.
Shanto also said that in T20Is, any player, regardless of experience, has the potential to significantly impact the game. He highlighted that the team that performs well on the day will emerge victorious, and Bangladesh is determined to be that team. Regarding the pitch conditions, Shanto admitted that they have limited knowledge about the wicket's behavior. However, he expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt quickly and play well. In a press conference, he elaborated on this point.
"In T20Is, you never know. It's not about big names or experienced players. The team that performs better on that day in batting, bowling, and fielding will win. We need to ensure we’re that team.
"We don't have much idea about the wicket, but we’ve had practice sessions to try and understand how it behaves. It's important for us to adjust quickly, as international teams must do. It’s an important series for us. T20 cricket is all about what happens on the day, and we’re confident we can play well," Shanto signed off.
