When India toured Bangladesh last year, they were handed a humiliating ODI series defeat by the hosts. And now, India are here yet again, but this time they will engage in a battle for the 2016 Asia Cup T20.
Bangladesh easily defeated the likes of Pakistan and South Africa as well in 2015 in the 50-over format at home. T20, though, is a different ball game altogether and Bangladesh do not have a good record in the shortest format of the game at home.
But, team director Ravi Shastri is well aware of the fact that Bangladesh are a dangerous side with some serious talent, capable of causing upsets.
Therefore, he has requested his players not to take the hosts lightly in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2016 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
"I have seen cricket in Bangladesh grow. I am happy to see Bangladesh evolved as a team. No team can take them lightly as they have showed their talent in the ODI cricket last year. They have the respect of every opposition and India will be no different. We will play them in that fashion," Shastri was quoted as saying by PTI.
India are coming into this tournament as the No. 1 team in the ICC T20 rankings. Having won two back-to-back T20 series against Australia and Sri Lanka, they are at top of their game.
Shastri feels there is no room for complacency ahead of the ICC World T20 2016, which is a matter of weeks away.
"Winning is a habit so when you are playing good cricket it is important to keep that habit going. Focus on your strengths, focus on your work ethics and make sure that you are not complacent, neither are you overconfident," Shastri added.
"We don't want to always come from behind, sometimes we want to start well also. So, hopefully we will be looking to do that in this tournament. Like I said every game now is important before the World Cup. The momentum is good so it is important that we keep that momentum going."
