In a recent press conference, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma addressed the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, emphasising that the matches are crucial and not just preparatory games for future contests. Rohit acknowledged Bangladesh's rising confidence following their historic 2-0 series win in Pakistan but dismissed any external chatter or mind games.
He noted, "Mazze lene do unko. (Let them have fun)," underscoring that India’s focus should solely be on winning the match rather than getting distracted by what the opposing team has to say. Rohit pointed out that past experiences, such as when England toured India and made remarks, did not translate to success on the pitch, reinforcing his belief that performance is what ultimately matters.
Rohit highlighted the significance of the upcoming matches, especially with India aiming to qualify for a third consecutive World Test Championship final. He stated, "Every Test match is a big one. We are playing for the country; there is no dress rehearsal happening," underlining the importance of each game as India prepares to face both Bangladesh and New Zealand before a challenging tour to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Addressing the team's preparation after a break, Rohit assured that the squad is experienced and has managed similar transitions successfully in the past. While he acknowledged the difficulty of jumping straight back into Test cricket, he expressed confidence in the players' ability to find their rhythm, especially those who participated in warm-up camps and domestic matches during the layoff.
Rohit concluded by reiterating the team's intent to perform and win, regardless of past successes or pressures from external expectations, highlighting that each series is an opportunity to make an impact in their limited career spans.