Chennai, India's Test captain Rohit Sharma said his team's focus is on winning the two-Test series against Bangladesh and not thinking too much about the World Test Championship (WTC) final to be held at Lord's in 2025.
This series between India and Bangladesh is a part of WTC. So far, India has won six out of nine matches and is at the top of the WTC points table with 68.52 percent. India was runner-up in the last two WTC finals after losing to New Zealand and Australia. India will further strengthen its top position by winning this home series, after which India will play a total of eight Test matches against New Zealand (home) and Australia (away).
Meanwhile, Bangladesh are in fourth place with a percentage of 45.83 and have won three out of six Tests.
“We treat every match as important. There is no practice match atmosphere here (in the context of the Bangladesh series). Every match is important because the WTC standings are at stake. The points table is still open, and every match is important,” Rohit said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He further said, “We have to focus on winning this series and this Test match, instead of thinking too far ahead.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul was ruled out due to injury during the England Test series, but is now making a comeback to the Test team. Captain Rohit supported Rahul's selection. Rahul's Test average is 34.08, while his average in ODIs is 49.15 and in T20s, 37.75.
Rohit said, “There are ups and downs in every player's career. Everyone knows KL Rahul's ability. We have given him the same message that we want him to play all the matches and bring out his best performance. He has performed well recently, scored a century against South Africa and also played a good innings in Hyderabad, but unfortunately got injured. I hope he starts from where he left in Hyderabad.”
Talking about India's busy schedule, Rohit said that it is important to manage the workload of fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. For this, India has good young fast bowlers.
Fast bowler Yash Dayal has been given a chance for the first time in the Indian team for the first Test between India and Bangladesh, while Akash Deep has been retained in the team.
Rohit Sharma said, “You want all the players to play every match, but it is not always possible. The bowlers have to be handled by looking at what is right for the team. We will keep an eye on the condition of our bowlers. We did a good job of resting Bumrah and Siraj in the England series.”
He further said, “We will keep this in mind in the future as well. You want all the players to play every match, but it is not in our hands. We have seen some great players in the Duleep Trophy. I am not too worried about which other bowlers are ready.”
Praising young batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, Rohit said, “They have everything that is needed to become a top Indian player. We have to prepare them well over time. These players are very eager and hardworking to play for India.”
Rohit said, “Jaiswal performed brilliantly in the last home series. Jurel also showed his skills with the bat and scored runs in difficult conditions. Sarfaraz also played fearlessly and did not pay much attention to outside things. You need all types of players in the team – fearless, alert and responsible. We have all these, and this is a good sign.”
The first Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from Thursday.
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Image Credit: Khas-Khabar.