India outplay Bangladesh with ‘complete performance’

Bangladesh- India Series

India outplay Bangladesh with ‘complete performance’

Online Desk

18 Dec 22 13:49:07

AFP

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KL Rahul, India's stand-in captain, praised the team's ‘complete performance,’ saying that a good comeback is needed after they were defeated in the ODI series against Bangladesh.

Despite being vulnerable in the Test format, Bangladesh was expected to put up a massive fight against India after winning their second consecutive ODI series.

However, Rahul stated that, unlike the ODI series, they won the crucial moments due to contributions from everyone on the team.

“There are areas where we can improve, but I'll take the win. Everyone performed and did their jobs. The guys who really did well.. It's good that they have put their hands up and taken those good days and made it really valuable,” Rahul said after India registered a 188-run victory in the first Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today.

“Kuldeep and Siraj bowled really well in the first innings. Even the guys who didn't pick wickets, did a good job as well. Same way in the second, Axar bowled really well but Ash and Kuldeep kept up the pressure really well. Umesh and Siraj bowled good spells and kept it tight. Overall good and this is what we wanted to do as a team,”

“Batters who got starts and bowlers who got a couple of wickets will be looking forward to the next Test and we can as a team do our job. As a team we want to win and who performs is not really important. Of course we want all of us to perform, but whoever has good days, can turn that into match-winning efforts, that's what matters” he added.

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India recovered from 48-3 to score 404 in their first innings, and then bowled Bangladesh out for 150 thanks to Kuldeep Yadav's 5-40.

After taking a massive 254-run lead, India declared their second innings at 258-2, leaving Bangladesh with a record 513-run chase to win.

Despite Zakir Hasan's debut century and skipper Shakib Al Hasan's counterattacking 84, Bangladesh were dismissed for 324 in the second innings.

Bangladesh pushed India hard in the fourth innings, but the visitors remained composed under pressure. What Rahul said ultimately made the difference.

“In Test cricket, you are never going to get a win that is easy. We have played enough cricket to understand that there will be phases when the opposition plays well and you need to respect that. I am very proud of the fact that throughout the Test our energy and intensity has been really high,” Rahul said.

“Through the five days we have shown great commitment. We hadn't played Test cricket for a while and there was a worry coming in about how the bodies would react and spend so much time in the parks while maintaining our intensity and focus. We did that really well and that's been very pleasing.”

Rahul said after an ODI series defeat, the Test win will give them a confidence as now they will head to Dhaka to seal the two-match series.

“The ODI series was a bit disappointing. I said this before as well. We have played some good cricket but we couldn't capitalise on the big moments. It's a completely different format and team and few individuals bring fresh energy and you tend to forget what happened in the past. Everyone in the dressing room gets really excited before playing Tests. There is a good positive energy and we want to win. It is challenging and that's the fun of Test cricket.”