Need more aggression from bowlers against India, says Bangladesh bowling coach Heath Streak

Heath Streak (L) with Mushfiqur Rahim

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, who is currently the Bangladesh bowling coach, has said that he is looking forward to getting the bowlers ready with a more “positive” and “aggressive” mindset against India. 

"It's still early days [for me as bowling coach]. I'm just getting them [the bowlers] to have a positive mindset, be a little more aggressive and not to be intimidated by the fact that they're playing - in their minds - against superstars,”  Streak said about his priorities and coaching technique.

"They [India's batsmen] play the IPL, they've seen them play in India and other places. But they're human beings. They make mistakes. They're very good at doing their jobs, but a good ball is a good ball, doesn't matter if it's to Suresh Raina or Rayudu or one of our own like Mushfiqur. And if you do that more consistently and at a good pace, if you do that, then I think we will challenge people more," said the veteran fast bowler, who has got more than 450 international wickets to his name. 

On the Bangladesh side that is not getting the desired results recently, the 40-year-old, calling for the senior players to lead from the front, imposed faith in the unit saying that his players will improve.

"I was part of a Zimbabwe changeroom that was in very similar situations quite regularly. That's when you want people to show character and fight and that's when you need your senior players to stand up and be counted and lead from the front. I know that will happen. This is a good team. They've got the potential. They will improve.

"It's not that they don't have the ability. They've pushed some good teams close recently and they've just been on the wrong end of the results and sometimes it's hard to get out of that losing streak, but I'm confident that when we do, we just need to make sure that we work hard and stay on top and build from there."

On what his expectations are from his batsmen who seem to be struggling: "To score runs," he said on a lighter note.

"It's just about backing their ability and playing according to the conditions on the day. That's the important thing, and to have the confidence to go out there and apply yourself in different conditions.

"The first [match's] wicket was really flat and the second one was probably the opposite. So the whole approach and strategy was changed a lot and I know that's something that has been addressed and they'll have to work hard at getting it right for the next game," Streak said.