From Wednesday, India will be back in red-ball cricket when they face Bangladesh in the first of two Tests at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in the hope to grab much-needed ICC World Test Championship points and boost their chances of reaching the final in June next year.
The two Tests between India and Bangladesh are a part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, where India are currently placed fourth with 52.08 percentage points. With them needing to win Tests against Bangladesh and Australia, stand-in captain K.L Rahul has promised that India will play aggressive cricket in the upcoming series against the Shakib Al Hasan-led side.
"There is a World Test championship (final) qualification so we will also have to be aggressive as well. We know where we stand and what we need to do to qualify for the final. Each day, each session we will have to assess what is required for the team in that particular moment and try to give our best and enjoy each day of Test cricket."
"We won't go in with any set mindset. There is a history of a certain venue. You look at the numbers and you take certain pointers from that. At least for us we will go there and try to be aggressive and brave, try and get a result."
"The game is played over five days so it is important to break it down into smaller targets and assess how the game goes. In every session, the demands would be different but one thing is sure that you are going to see a lot of aggressive cricket from our side," said Rahul in a pre-series press conference.
Of late, the Test cricket world has been enchanted by the aggressive cricket played by England and admirably led by Ben Stokes, with their theory made more strong by the 26-run win over Pakistan in Multan on Monday. Rahul admitted to enjoying watching the Test action in Pakistan.
"To watch these two matches between England and Pakistan has really been very exciting. I am really enjoying watching Test cricket being played like that, a very fearless, aggressive, taking the game on."
At the same time, Rahul remarked that every team can't adopt the style of England in Tests. "That's worked for them. Each team has its own way. Obviously, all teams can learn a thing or two from teams that are doing well and how they've really performed. It's not always going to be the same approach. You turn up and (play) according to the conditions and where you are."
Rahul refused to categorise England's way of playing Test cricket as reckless. "It's how you view it. For me as a cricketer, it's not reckless cricket. They have a certain mindset and they've thought about it. They back their players and they are doing the job for their team. Whatever suits that team, it's working for them."
"Cricket is changing and evolving, there is no set way of how this game needs to be played. It's up to the players now to assess what is the best they can do for the team. When you're doing that it doesn't really matter how you've done it."
Virat Kohli has always found ways to get runs, do the job for his team, says K.L Rahul
Ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting from Wednesday, India's stand-in Test captain K.L Rahul feels that talismanic batter Virat Kohli is someone who has always found ways to get runs and do the job of getting the runs for his team in red-ball cricket too.
Since September, Kohli has been in blazing form in white-ball matches, notching up a T20I century against Afghanistan in Asia Cup and then playing some vintage knocks during the Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.
On Saturday, he got his 44th ODI century against Bangladesh and with India now all set to play in Tests after nearly six months, all eyes will be on Kohli to carry his good form in white-ball matches to red-ball cricket.
"We haven't really played too much Test cricket for you to pass that statement. But he's been in good form; he's done really well for us in T20 cricket. Recently, he got that (ODI) hundred against Bangladesh here. Obviously, he will take some confidence into the Test matches as well. He's been around for so long."
"He is such an experienced player; he knows what to do. His mindset and attitude have always remained the same. The passion he has for the game, the commitment he gives for his team, has been on show for everyone to see, so'you can't really question 'hat. He's a great player. He has always found ways to get runs, do the job for his team and I am sure he will do that again," said Rahul in a pre-series press conference.
India will be without regular skipper Rohit Sharma for the first Test from December 14-18 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and Rahul hopes he is fit in time for the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from December 22-26.
"Rohit Sharma is an important player for us. He is a very experienced player and captain of our team. With the captain being injured, he is someone that the team will really miss but fingers crossed, we hope he can recover quickly and come back for the second Test."
There was a little bit of surprise when Cheteshwar Pujara was named as vice-captain for Tests against Bangladesh as the now-sacked selection committee had said Rishabh Pant and Rahul were being groomed as future leaders of the Indian team. Asked about the same, Rahul didn't go much into the specifics of the vice-captaincy change.
"Regarding vice-captain, at least I don't know like what is the criteria. Whoever is picked, you give yourself a pat on the back and you continue. I know that when you are the vice-captain, you become really happy. But it really doesn't change too many things, everybody in the team knows their roles and responsibilities and how much the team appreciates their contribution."
"Rishabh and Pujara both have been brilliant for us in Test cricket and have done the job so many times. So we really don't think much as everyone tries to take their responsibilities and we carry on as a team. The team wins as eleven players and when we go down, we go down as a whole team. Everyone has responsibility and we try to help each other and enjoy our cricket."
Also read | England earn historic Test series victory in Pakistan with tense 26-run win in Multan
With no Rohit, Rahul and Shubman Gill are going to be the likely opening pair for India in Chattogram. Rahul was in praise for the skillsets and attitude shown by Gill in his initial days and stressed on how important it is to back youngsters who are capable of doing well for the Indian team.
"Shubman has been a brilliant player and it is wonderful to see his transformation (in ODIs). In Tests, whenever he has got the opportunity, he has done the job for the team. He's very young and exciting and has the temperament for the longest format. In every format, he is exciting and I am sure he will be excited about this opportunity to do the job for the team.
"What we can do is back young, exciting and talented players. It is important as a leader to back your players, and let them make their own decisions. At the same time, it is also important that we enjoy our cricket and not really think too much. It is about what we require to do as a team and as individuals to win the game for the country. Excited to see how will he go now."
