DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Rohit Sharma expects a tough challenge from Bangladesh in the ODI series.
“I think it has been an exciting rivalry for all these years. The Bangladesh cricket team has been different for the last seven or eight years. And we didn’t have easy wins against them,” Sharma said.
“Even in the T20 World Cup, it was a close game… So we have to play our best cricket to win this. It is not going to be easy for us.”
India will be without pacer Mohammed Shami because of a shoulder injury. Umran Malik has replaced him for the ODI games.
Bangladesh won its first-ever ODI series on South African soil earlier this year though it lost a series in Zimbabwe. It will be without fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and Tamim against India.
Taskin, who played a key role against South Africa, was rested for the first ODI against India after complaining about back pain, while Tamim was ruled out of the series with a groin injury.
“We’ll miss the service of both players because their experience and form mean a lot to us,” Liton said. “However it’s an opportunity for other players to step in and show their potential.”
Bangladesh and India will also play two test matches, starting Dec. 14 at Chattogram.