Bangladesh national cricket team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has spoken about the pitch that has been prepared for the first Test against the Indian national cricket team, which will be played in Chennai from September 19.

As usual, the pitch has become a major talking point ahead of the Test series in India. Recently, Gautam Gambhir also spoke about it and slammed people who criticised India for producing tracks that favoured spin.

Meanwhile, multiple reports have emerged claiming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will deploy a red-dirt pitch in the first Test against Bangladesh, with an eye on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

It is worth noting that red clay pitches are faster, offer more bounce and favour pacers and bowlers, especially as the match progresses and the pitch deteriorates. A red clay pitch will allow India to play a three-man attack in the first Test.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Najmul Hossain Shanto played down the on-field comments and stressed the importance of adapting quickly.

“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 the wicket as soon as possible,” Najmul Hossain Shanto said at the pre-match press conference.

Najmul Hossain Shanto added that they have an experienced spin-bowling unit and a talented pace-bowling unit, which is capable enough to get the job done in India.

“I think we have a very experienced spin bowling attack, but I think we have had some very good pace bowlers in the last few years as well. I know they are not that experienced, but they are capable of doing it. So I don’t think too much about spin bowling or speed bowling,” he said.

Yes, he (Nahid Rana) is very exciting and the way he bowled against Pakistan – Najmul Hossain Shanto

Nahid Rana, the 21-year-old Bangladesh national team cricketer, has caught the eye of the Indian team ahead of the Test series as he impressed a lot on the tour of Pakistan. To deal with his threat, the Indian team management brought in Gurnoor Brar to get him used to facing a tall and fast player.

Meanwhile, Najmul Hossain Shanto claimed that while Rana is gaining most attention, all the players in the Bangladesh team are great.

“Yes, he (Nahid Rana) is very exciting and the way he bowled against Pakistan is really impressive and he looks really good. But I am not thinking of any particular player, I think all the fast bowlers did a great job in Pakistan.

“I think they’ve done very well in the last two weeks. I hope they do something good here and, as you said, Nahid Rana is a special bowler for us. We don’t think about him too much. I try to plan how I’m going to use him according to the situation,” he concluded.

Najmul Hossain Shanto has also said that they are not focusing too much on the opposing team and are thinking more about their own strengths.

“I think it’s important to think about ourselves rather than the opponents. What are our strengths? I think we have the ability to play good cricket here. The important thing is how can we play good cricket over five days. Every international team aims to win every match. We have the same goal as well – to play to win.”