Bangladesh will look to win T20I series vs India: Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is optimistic about his team’s chances in the upcoming three-match T20I series against India.

Shanto said Bangladesh have left behind the Test series’ disappointing performance, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat, and are focused on delivering a bold, aggressive brand of cricket in the shortest format.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, ahead of the series opener at the newly inaugurated Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Shanto emphasized that his side is determined to make an impact. “We are looking to win this series, to be very honest. We want to play aggressive cricket,” Shanto said. “In our last World Cup, we had a good opportunity to reach the semi-finals, but we missed out. This is a new team, and I hope all the players will play some good cricket here.”

Bangladesh’s Test series against India ended in just six sessions, with India dominating both matches. However, Shanto stated that the focus now is firmly on T20 cricket, where the dynamics are entirely different. “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. Whoever plays well on the day, wins. It’s not about past performances,” the skipper asserted.

Both Bangladesh and India will field youthful sides, with key senior players rested or unavailable. Suryakumar Yadav will lead a fresh Indian squad, while Bangladesh’s T20 team will feature only five players who were part of the Test squad. This shift gives younger talent from both nations a chance to shine.

Shanto believes this could work in Bangladesh’s favor, given the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. “In T20Is, you never know. It’s not about big names or experienced players. The team that performs better on that day in batting, bowling, and fielding will win. We need to ensure we’re that team,” he added.

The series opener at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium adds another layer of unpredictability. The ground is making its debut as an international venue, and neither team has much information about how the pitch will behave. However, Bangladesh has been preparing diligently during practice sessions to try and get a feel for the conditions.

“We don’t have much idea about the wicket, but we’ve had practice sessions to try and understand how it behaves. It’s important for us to adjust quickly, as international teams must do,” Shanto remarked.

Despite the Test losses, Shanto is hopeful his side can bounce back in the T20 series. He stressed the importance of focusing on the present and believes Bangladesh can compete strongly in this format. “It’s an important series for us. T20 cricket is all about what happens on the day, and we’re confident we can play well.”