Wasim Jaffer warns Rohit Sharma of adverse result vs Bangladesh; flags warning for these players

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has issued a stark warning to the Indian cricket team about the growing threat Bangladesh poses ahead of the two-match Test series, which is set to get underway on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

India have picked a full-strength squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh at home, which highlights the seriousness with which the hosts are taking these games.

Traditionally, India has preferred resting and rotating their pace bowlers to keep them fresh for the big matches, but this time they avoided any complacency against the Tigers.

Wasim Jaffer reveals key factors behind Bangladesh’s recent success

Bangladesh's recent historic 2-0 Test series win in Pakistan has created a storm in the cricketing world, and Jaffer, who has closely watched Bangladeshi cricket as a player and coach and recognizes their significant progress, feels it inspired Team India to go all gun blazing in the home series.

Having been closely associated with Bangladesh cricket, given his training and coaching assignments with their Under-19 teams and experience with the senior side, Jaffer provides an insider's insight.

He has therefore seen how Bangladesh has transformed over time from being vulnerable to this kind of pressure into one that is facile in tackling it. Bangladesh, traditionally strong at home, has significantly enhanced its performance in overseas conditions.

Jaffer mentioned that the Tigers have not only defeated major teams like New Zealand and Pakistan on their home turf but have also shown flashes of brilliance in the white-ball cricket away.

With seasoned players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim providing invaluable experience, Bangladesh is a side that knows how to handle high-pressure situations with increasing cleverness, according to Jaffer.

They have become better with experience: Wasim Jaffer on Bangladesh

The former Indian batter added that the Tigers have evolved into a team that is capable of challenging the best on any stage, and Team India may face a stern test from them.

Jaffer was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times: “They have become better with experience. They were known to play well in Bangladesh, but lately they have also toured well. They have beaten New Zealand in New Zealand (2002 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganu) and Pakistan in Pakistan.

I have worked with Mehidy Miraz and Shanto as senior players in the DPL. Mehidy has that fighting spirit; he has done it time and again. Even in ODIs, if you open with him, he gets hundreds. He is one of the guys who doesn’t give up, whether in batting, bowling, or fielding.”

Bangladesh’s rise in fast bowling threatens India: Wasim Jaffer

Bangladesh is known to have a spin-heavy team, but what has transformed them into good travelers are their fast-bowling gains.

Bangladesh is traditionally known for its spin-heavy attack, but their fast bowling has transformed significantly recently, and Wasim Jaffer feels it was the result of the change in their mindset.

The cricket pandit added, “I feel they have changed their mindset. They want to play on bouncy pitches with a bit of a pace even at home. The series they won against Afghanistan was played on fast and bouncy pitches. And from there, I feel there has been a slight shift in mindset that they are not going to win only with spin.”

Wasim Jaffer credited the former bowling coaches Allan Donald and Courtney Walsh for Bangladesh’s massive improvement in the fast-bowling department.

Ebadot Hossain emerged during their times, and then the likes of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman got better, and now Nahid Rana has come up to trouble the batters with his pace.

Wasim Jaffer signed off by saying, “With Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud, they have four-five quality fast bowlers who bowl 140-plus; that is what you need.”