Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto emphasised that his team has grown more mature and no longer lets emotions dictate their game. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the two-match Test series against India, Shanto expressed confidence in his side’s ability to perform well in India, especially after their recent 2-0 series win against Pakistan.
Shanto highlighted how his team has evolved over the years, managing their emotions better, and focusing more on playing good cricket. Bangladesh has a spirited rivalry with India, but in recent years, they’ve struggled to pose a serious challenge. However, Shanto believes that this time the team is more composed and ready for the contest.
"In the last 10-15 years, most of our players have gained a lot of experience. We're no longer too emotional on the field. Over the past few years, we've improved in controlling our emotions and focusing on our game rather than the outcome. We're giving 100% in every match, following our plans calmly," Shanto stated ahead of the series.
Reflecting on the recent series against Pakistan, Shanto acknowledged the confidence boost but stressed that it’s important to look ahead.
"We played great cricket against Pakistan, and that definitely gives us confidence, but that's in the past. We’re here for a new series, and the team believes we can play well. We’re not focused on the result, just on following our processes," said the 26-year-old captain, who has experience from 29 Test matches.
Bangladesh's success in India will depend largely on their spin attack. Shanto praised his bowlers, saying they were prepared to perform, regardless of the conditions.
"India is a very strong side, covering all aspects of the game—batting, bowling, and fielding. But we aren’t focused on the conditions or the opposition. We are concentrating on our own game," Shanto added.
He also expressed confidence in both the spin and pace departments. "We have a very experienced spin attack, but in recent years, our pace bowlers have improved significantly. They may lack experience, but they are capable of performing well. We’re not worried whether it’s spin or pace; we’re just ready to play our best game."