IND vs BAN: Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto Stresses Process Over Outcome Ahead of Chennai Test

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Bangladesh's captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, emphasises the importance of focusing on strategy and adaptability as his team prepares to face India in the opening Test on Thursday (September 19).

The Tigers recently celebrated a historic 2-0 series win against Pakistan, marking their first away series victory in 24 years of Test cricket.

Despite this achievement, Shanto remains grounded, stating, "I think we played very good cricket against Pakistan, which gives us a lot of confidence. But, that is in the past." He stresses the need to concentrate on the current series and maintain a process-driven approach without fixating on outcomes.

Facing India's Quality Side

Playing against India presents a different challenge for Bangladesh. Shanto acknowledges India's strength, saying, "I think they [India] are a very quality side. We know they have covered all the bases, like batting, bowling, and fielding." He insists that his team will focus on their own game rather than worrying about conditions or opponents.

One player to watch is pacer Nahid Rana, who impressed with five wickets in the second Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan. However, Shanto cautions against focusing solely on one player, highlighting the collective effort of the entire pace unit.

Learning from Past Experiences

Reflecting on past performances, Shanto notes that Bangladesh has often been in winning positions but failed to close games due to overthinking. He believes that players have gained experience over the last decade and are now better at controlling emotions during matches.

Shanto adds that the team is focused on giving their best in every match without worrying about potential outcomes. This mindset has helped them remain calm and execute plans effectively.

Adapting to Chepauk Conditions

The Chepauk pitch has shown signs of red soil, suggesting decent bounce. However, Shanto is confident in Bangladesh's spin and pace attack to counter India's dominance with spin. He believes his team has an experienced spin-bowling attack and capable pace bowlers.

Regarding the pitch conditions, Shanto states that adaptation will be key. "As far as the wicket is concerned, it will be a good wicket. I don't want to talk too much about it. We will try to adapt to the wicket as soon as possible," he concludes.

Bangladesh aims to build on their recent success by focusing on their strengths and maintaining composure against a formidable Indian side.