Suresh Raina warns Rohit Sharma about 'Pakistan-demolishers' Bangladesh: 'Can't take them lightly'

Former India National Cricket Team batsman Suresh Raina has issued a stark warning to the Rohit Sharma-led side ahead of the two-match Test series against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team at home.

Most of the Indian team players are currently involved in domestic cricket ahead of the high-profile red-ball season while seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah have been given the rest by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Several Indian stars are set to feature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024, but the likes of Bumrah, Rohit, and Kohli won't play in the tournament and are set to be seen directly in action in the series against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh are currently involved in a two-match Test series against Shan Masood-led side in Pakistan and after the conclusion of the series, they will travel to India for the Test matches.

The series between India and Bangladesh will consist of two Tests, with the first one beginning on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and the second match will start on September 27 at the Green Park in Kanpur.

Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side will be a major threat to India considering the spin-bowling attack they have, and they recently showed that they are no pushovers by crushing Pakistan by 10 wickets in the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Suresh Raina is aware of the fact that Bangladesh are a good team, hence, he has issued a major warning to Rohit Sharma's men.

You cannot take Bangladesh lightly as they have a fine spin bowling attack - Suresh Raina warns Rohit Sharma

Speaking on the sidelines of the Legends League Cricket event, Suresh Raina hailed BCCI's move to order top players to feature in the Duleep Trophy ahead of the long red-ball season.

He also warned Rohit Sharma & Co. and said that they shouldn't take Bangladesh lightly as they have spinners like Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mahedi Hasan, who can be potential threats.

"Now, a team for Tests will be formed. Top players playing Duleep Trophy is a nice initiative by the BCCI. You get to know a lot of things when you play red-ball cricket," said Raina, as quoted by ANI.

"You cannot take Bangladesh lightly as they have a fine spin bowling attack and some good players who have done well for a long time. This series will be a fine match practice for the tour to Australia," added the former India international Suresh Raina.

After the Bangladesh Tests, India will play a three-match home Test series against New Zealand before traveling to Australia for the high-voltage Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Meanwhile, Suresh Raina further talked about Rishabh Pant and said that the wicketkeeper-batsman has been doing a great job.

Notably, Pant played a key role in India's T20 World Cup win as he was the team's third-highest run-getter and created the record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.

"The way he practises, he is doing very good wicket-keeping, he has batted very well, and when you win the World Cup, you know how much fun it is," added Suresh Raina.