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The recent India-Bangladesh Test series concluded with a resounding 2-0 victory for India, leaving Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe in contemplative mood. He acknowledged the stark difference in approach and execution between the two teams, highlighting India's aggressive batting style that left Bangladesh unprepared. Hathurusinghe admitted that his team had not witnessed such an aggressive approach in Test cricket before, and they struggled to adapt to the rapid onslaught from India's top order. The series, particularly India's first innings, served as a harsh reality check for Bangladesh, revealing the gap in skill and intensity between the two sides.
India's batsmen, spearheaded by Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, unleashed a barrage of boundaries, setting a blistering pace that Bangladesh's bowlers found hard to contain. Rohit Sharma's aggressive intent was evident from the first ball he faced, clearing the boundary for a six, and India raced to a record-breaking 50 runs in just 3 overs. Jaiswal, in his debut Test series, exhibited an impressive blend of power and finesse, scoring a quickfire 72 off just 51 balls, further showcasing India's dominance. This aggressive approach extended to the second innings, where India swiftly chased down a target of 95 runs, securing a comfortable victory.
Hathurusinghe, while accepting the defeat, expressed disappointment with Bangladesh's batting performance, stating that they had not lived up to their potential in recent series. He refrained from comparing his bowlers and batters, emphasizing that both are part of the team and are learning from the challenging experience of playing against India. He acknowledged India as the best team in the world, and the series served as a valuable learning experience for Bangladesh, highlighting the areas that require improvement. The coach also expressed uncertainty about the future of veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who had expressed his desire to play his last Test at home. However, his return to Bangladesh is uncertain due to the murder charges he faces.
The series underlined the gulf between India and Bangladesh in Test cricket, exposing the lack of intensity and aggression in the Bangladesh side. While Hathurusinghe acknowledged the high quality of the opposition, he stressed the need for Bangladesh to improve their performance, especially in batting, to compete at the highest level. The series against India has served as a stark wake-up call for Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of raising the standard and fostering a more aggressive approach to bridge the gap with the top teams.