"Congratulations for what Bangladesh did in Pakistan, but India is a different team"- Gautam Gambhir's fiery sledge

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about the challenges posed by Bangladesh in the upcoming two-match Test series. Gautam Gambhir said that the Indian national cricket team doesn’t fear anyone but respects everyone, including the Bangladesh national cricket team.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will kick off their international red-ball season with a two-match series against Bangladesh. India will face Bangladesh in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on September 19. They will conclude the series with the second Test in Kanpur.

We Don't Fear Anyone Be We Respect Everyone - Gautam Gambhir

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Chennai on Wednesday, Gautam Gambhir stated that the Indian team respects all opponents, including Bangladesh, but doesn’t fear any team. He emphasized that India focuses on playing their own game rather than looking at the opposition.

"I have been a big believer that we don’t fear anyone but we respect everyone. It is the same with Bangladesh. We don’t look at the opposition and play the game we know," Gambhir said.

On Bangladesh

I have been big believer that we don’t fear anyone but we respect everyone. It is the same with Bangladesh. We don’t look at the opposition and play the game we know.

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) September 18, 2024

The Indian team is currently at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings. Team India has secured six victories out of nine played in the ongoing WTC cycle. The home team wants to continue their dominance with a victory in the Test series against Bangladesh.

Congratulate Them For What They Did In Pakistan - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir acknowledged Bangladesh's recent success in Pakistan. However, the head coach highlighted that the upcoming series is a fresh challenge. He added that Bangladesh has experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

"Congratulate them for what they did in Pakistan. But this is a new series and they are a quality side and we want to play good cricket. Yes they have experience in Shakib, Mushfiqur, and Mehidy but we want to be switched on from ball 1," Gambhir added.

On Bangladesh

Congralute them for what they did in Pakistan. But this is a new series and they are a quality side and we want to play good cricket. Yes they have experience in Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mehidy but we want to be switched on from ball 1.

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) September 18, 2024

On the other hand, Bangladesh is coming off a historic Test series victory over Pakistan. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led team registered their first-ever Test victory during the series opener. They went on to win the second and final Test match to complete a 2-0 clean sweep against Pakistan.

The Bangladesh national cricket team will need to perform exceptionally well with the bat to challenge India's strong bowling attack. Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim boasts an impressive Test average of 55.16 in India. Rahim will play a crucial role in helping the Bangladesh team secure victory.

Also read: Bangladesh Coach Chandika Hathurusingha Openly Exposes Chennai Pitch Type Ahead of India Test