After a 45-day hiatus, Team India is set to take the field again in the 1st Test against Bangladesh at Chennai’s iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. The highly anticipated series marks India’s return to the international Test circuit, and captain Rohit Sharma’s calm demeanor at the pre-match press conference was a clear sign of his confidence. Despite Bangladesh coming off a 2-0 series win against Pakistan, Rohit emphasized that India’s focus is on their own performance rather than on the opposition’s recent form.
“Sabhi teamo ko india ko harana hai, unhe india ko harane me maza ata hai, maze lene do unko (Every team enjoys beating India, let them have fun). We will focus on how to beat them,” Rohit said with a smile, brushing off concerns about Bangladesh’s recent success. India, currently sitting at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table, is laser-focused on winning their next 10 Test matches and securing their spot in the WTC final for the third consecutive time.
Rohit’s attitude reflects a broader team ethos — one of discipline and focus on their own game. “We can’t think about what they have to say about us,” he added, pointing out that when England toured India, much was said, but it didn’t distract the Indian team from delivering results.
The upcoming series is vital for India, especially with tougher tests on the horizon. After Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand before heading to Australia for the fiercely contested five-Test Border-Gavaskar series. Each match is crucial in their quest to maintain dominance in the WTC rankings. Rohit emphasized the importance of focusing on each game rather than looking too far ahead. “Every Test match is a big one. We are playing for the country — there is no dress rehearsal happening.”
While Bangladesh has never beaten India in a Test, Rohit is not taking them lightly, especially recalling how India narrowly escaped defeat against them two years ago. But for the Indian skipper, the goal is clear: to win, dominate, and keep the WTC dream alive. “Our aim is to play good cricket and win every series,” Rohit reiterated, setting the tone for the battle ahead.