Tue Sep 17 16:43:58 UTC 2024: ## India Ready to Face Bangladesh Test Challenge, Despite Recent Pakistan Triumph

**Chennai, India:** India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge posed by Bangladesh, despite the latter’s recent 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan.

The series, starting Thursday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, marks India’s return to Test action after a 45-day break. Rohit acknowledged Bangladesh’s recent form but stressed the importance of focusing on India’s own performance: “Every team wants to beat India. Let them have fun, we will focus on how to beat them. We need to win the match and that’s what we are here for.”

Echoing the captain’s sentiment, India’s focus remains on delivering strong performances, a strategy that proved successful against England earlier this year. “We can’t think about what they have to think and say about us,” Rohit stated. “We needed to deliver results and that’ll be our aim here as well. To play good cricket.”

Bangladesh Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha, however, views the series as a valuable opportunity for his team to gauge their standing on the world stage. “We are encouraged by playing the best team in the world,” he said, “and coming to India and playing against them is the best challenge you get nowadays. Playing against the best always gives you the perception of where you stand, and as sportspersons, we always look forward to it.”

The series win against Pakistan has instilled confidence in the Bangladesh team, but Hathurusingha also recognized the importance of staying grounded: “We know our strengths and weaknesses.”

The two-Test series will be followed by a three-match T20I series commencing on October 6th. Both teams are poised for a challenging and exciting contest as they prepare for the upcoming series.

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