 "Bangladesh's Litton Das revealed his team is practicing with the SG ball to prepare for the Test series against India. AP")
Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das feels that the team’s historic series win over Pakistan is “in the past” as they now need to focus on the upcoming two-match Test series against India which begins on 19 September in Chennai. Bangladesh scripted history earlier this month as they won their first Test series against Pakistan also away from home. Bangladesh won both the matches of the two-match Test series which were played in Rawalpindi.
Looking forward to the Test series against world No.2 India who have not lost a Test series at home since 2012, Litton said that the Bangladesh team needs to now focus on the upcoming challenges instead of getting carried away after the win in Pakistan.
India series will be challenging
“We have played very well against Pakistan. That is already in the past,” Litton said while speaking to the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday. “Obviously, very important (to leave the Pakistan series behind) and you (media) also need to help a bit. It would be better if you don’t talk too much about the Pakistan series. There is a big challenging series ahead (against India). For me as a player, that is in the past (Pakistan Series). But we definitely gained confidence from that.”
Litton also had no qualms in admitting that the Test series against India would be a “challenging one”.
“When we play India at their home, they are always the better side. I wouldn’t say it will be extremely challenging or very easy. They are a very good team in their own conditions. If you look at the rankings, they are so high up. So I think it will be a challenging series for us,” he said.
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More ShortsLitton on SG ball challenge
The 29-year-old also revealed how Bangladesh are preparing to play against SG red ball that India uses in Tests at home. Other countries use the Kookaburra red ball in Tests.
“India is a big team and the ball will also change,” Litton observed. “We rarely play with that ball. It will be challenging. The players are working very hard.
“As for preparation, we are facing the main bowlers as much as we can. The SG ball is somewhat difficult. It’s tough to play with the Kookaburra when the ball is new, but it’s easier to play once the ball is old. However, with the SG ball, playing with the new ball is somewhat easier, but playing with the old ball is tougher. We are practicing, let’s see what happens.”
“We need to focus on this. In Test cricket, you have to win sessions. Every session is important. Personally I feel we couldn’t play our 100% in the first sessions. There is room for a big improvement here,” he said.