IND vs BAN: Pragyan Ojha fires Rohit Sharma & Co. warning before 1st Test: "Won’t be that easy..."

Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha issued a warning to the Rohit Sharma-led side not to underestimate Bangladesh ahead of the Test series. Pragyan Ojha pointed out that the Bangladeshi team, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, recently defeated the Pakistan team in their recent Test series.

The Indian team has reunited to prepare for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh after a month-long break from international cricket. The Men in Blue started their preparation for the first Test on September 13. Notably, India has a strong record in home Test matches over the last decade.

On the other hand, Bangladesh is coming off a historic victory against Pakistan in their recent Test series. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side registered a 10-wicket victory in the first Test match, followed by a six-wicket win in the second and final Test to complete a clean sweep over Pakistan.

It Will Be A Good Fight - Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha said that the Rohit Sharma-led team should not take Bangladesh lightly. Ojha added that Bangladesh will pose a good fight against India in the upcoming series. He highlighted that Bangladesh's spinners performed well in their recent 2-0 series win over Pakistan.

“They are a sub-continent team and have good spinners. If you see, Mehidy Hassan has become the man of the tournament (in a 2-0 win over Pakistan). The way he performed, he is a good batsman and a good spinner. Plus, Shakib is also there, so it won’t be that easy. It will be tricky as to how the Indian team will play against them on a particular pitch,” Ojha was quoted as saying by IANS.

“I won’t say that Bangladesh will challenge them; I will say that it will be a good fight. The way Bangladesh has defeated Pakistan in their home, they are moving in the right direction. When they come here, it will be a good series,” he added.

The first Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on Thursday, September 19.

It’s A Very Important Series - Pragyan Ojha

The 38-year-old former cricketer said that the Test series against Bangladesh is crucial for Indian players to build momentum for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He highlighted that the players could earn spots for the Australia series with strong performances against Bangladesh.

“The biggest thing is, the guys wishing to make a name for themselves—the way they will perform here, they will get in for the Australia series," Pragyan Ojha further stated.

"We know that Australia has not won the Border Gavaskar Trophy twice at home, and they would want to get that thing right. So, this series of India against Bangladesh will build momentum for India. It’s a very important series, and I don’t think the team should take it lightly.”

The Rohit Sharma-led team will play 10 Test matches in the next few months. Following the Bangladesh series, India will take on New Zealand in a three-match Test series. The Men in Blue will then travel to Australia for the five-match Test series, which begins on November 22 in Perth.

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