"No dress rehearsal kind of stuff happening here" - Rohit Sharma on the significance on the IND vs BAN 2024 Test series
Team India captain Rohit Sharma has made it clear that they are not looking at the two-match Test series against Bangladesh as a dress rehearsal for the bigger challenges ahead. He pointed out that the World Test Championship (WTC) points table is still wide open and added that every game matters.
After the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, India will host New Zealand for three Tests (October-November) before traveling to Australia for a grueling five-match Test series (November-January).
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Rohit stressed the significance of the series, keeping the WTC table in mind. He said (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo):
"Look, at the end of the day, you are playing for your country. So there is no dress rehearsal kind of stuff happening here. Every game that we play is important, and every game becomes important because of what is at stake. [In the] World Test Championship, still the table is quite wide open, and you want to win every game. So it doesn't matter where we play in two months' time. We want to win here. We want to win this Test match."
Rohit explained that Team India landed in Chennai a week before the opening Test because they aimed to have the best preparation possible heading into the series.
"We assembled here on the 12th, and we've had a good time spending hours on the field, [and] getting everything together. So yeah, it is tough. But see, now people are so experienced, they managed themselves pretty well. And guys who have not played a lot of Test cricket, obviously went on to play the Duleep Trophy, which was good," Rohit commented.
"So in terms of preparation, [and] in terms of readiness, I feel we are quite ready for this game and what lies ahead of us. So it was a good little prep that we had before this Test match," he added.
The first India vs Bangladesh Test will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19 to September 23. The second Test will be held at Green Park in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
Rohit-led India are leading the 2023-2025 WTC table
Team India are in the top position in the ongoing WTC table. They have played nine matches and have 74 points, with a points percentage (PCT) of 68.52.
Australia are in second place with 90 points, but a lower PCT of 62.50.
Bangladesh jumped to fourth place following their historic 2-0 triumph in Pakistan. They now have 33 points from six matches, with a PCT of 45.83.