Tuesday, on the other hand, Captain Rohit Sharma gave his India team warning that “there is no dress rehearsal” in cricket as they face a Bangladesh side coming from a historic Test series win over Pakistan. The team leads the World Test Championship (WTC) standings ahead of Australia, where Rohit’s team will tour for a five-match series later this year. But first they host Bangladesh in two Test matches with the opener starting from Thursday in the northern Indian city of Chennai. In spite of being clear favorites, India are playing against visiting team that has recently celebrated landmark achievements by sweeping 2-0 Pakistan series. “There is nothing like dress rehearsal here” he cautioned against anything that could be taken as reference to Australia during conversations because of its open-ended situation.
“To us everyone game means everything given what they stand for; because WTC table remains quite broad open” said Rohit adding they want to win their first match so they can begin well. According to him: “I believe we have done enough preparations already both physically and mentally for this game ahead.” India’s previous Test was done early this year when they were hosting England who lost 1-4.
In June this year, India won the T20 World Cup; it has been 11 years since they last won anything at ICC level
But there was “no way” his players would “relax and sit back” as a result, the 37-year-old Rohit said.
“We cricketers, we have got limited time to play the game, to make an impact in the sport that we play,” he said.
India will host New Zealand for three Tests in October and November, before travelling to Australia, the current World Test champions.
“Every team likes to beat India. Let them have fun,” said Rohit of a Bangladesh team on a high after their first win over Pakistan.
“We need to win the match and that’s what we are here for.”
