Shanto backs Bangladesh to bounce back in T20 series against India

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is confident his young squad can claim victory in the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, which kicks off on Sunday. After a disappointing 2-0 loss in the Test series, Shanto emphasised the need to focus on a fresh approach in the shortest format of the game.

Speaking ahead of the series opener on 6 october at the newly inaugurated Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Shanto outlined his team's intention to play aggressive cricket. "We are aiming to win this series, to be honest," he stated during a press conference on friday. "In our last World Cup, we came close to reaching the semi-finals but missed the opportunity. This is a new team, and I hope we can show some good cricket here."

Shanto insisted that the team is moving forward, shifting its focus entirely to the T20 format, which operates under a different dynamic. "We all know we didn't play our best cricket in the Tests, but we're not dwelling on that. T20 is a different ball game. It's not about past performances; it's about who performs on the day," Shanto remarked.

Both sides will be fielding relatively young squads in the T20 series, with several senior players either rested or unavailable. Suryakumar Yadav will lead a revamped Indian side, while Bangladesh's T20 squad will feature only five players from the Test series. This opens the door for emerging talents from both nations to make their mark.

Shanto sees this as a potential advantage for Bangladesh, citing the unpredictability of T20 cricket. "In T20Is, it's not about big names or experience. It's all about who plays better on the day, in every department—batting, bowling, and fielding. We have to ensure we are that team," he said.

Adding another layer of uncertainty to the series is the debut of the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium as an international venue. Neither Bangladesh nor India have much knowledge about the pitch conditions, though Bangladesh have been working hard in practice sessions to prepare. "We don't have much idea about the wicket, but we've been trying to understand it through practice. The key is to adjust quickly, as international teams have to do," Shanto explained.

Despite the setbacks in the Tests, the Bangladesh captain remains hopeful that his side can bounce back in the T20 format. He stressed the importance of staying in the moment and focusing on the task at hand. "This is a crucial series for us. T20 cricket is all about what happens on the day, and we're confident we can play well," Shanto concluded.