Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 17 (ANI): Chandika Hathurusinghe, the head coach of Bangladesh, has expressed his confidence in the current composition of the team, describing it as the most “well-rounded” he has witnessed during his two separate tenures with the side.

Bangladesh’s cricket team enters the Test series against India with momentum, following an impressive performance in their recent matches. On Thursday, they will face India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, buoyed by their historic series victory over Pakistan.

In a dominating display, Bangladesh secured a 2-0 sweep in the Test series against Pakistan, achieving this feat on Pakistani soil. This significant triumph sets a hopeful tone for their upcoming encounter with India, particularly as Bangladesh aims to overcome past defeats in their last three Test matches against India.

Hathurusinghe anticipates a more intense competition from his squad, who are determined to extend their winning streak. He highlighted the team’s balanced nature and depth in various departments.

“I genuinely believe this is probably the most well-rounded team Bangladesh has fielded during my time with them,” Hathurusinghe shared with ESPNcricinfo. “We have a solid lineup that covers all bases: strong fast bowlers, an experienced spin attack, and depth in batting. Our team balance is exceptional, mainly due to the dual capabilities of our players.”

He elaborated that two of their spinners, Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, are also accomplished batsmen with Test centuries to their names. Additionally, their wicketkeepers, Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim, are among the mainstays of their batting lineup. This multifaceted talent contributes significantly to the team’s balance and boosts their confidence going into the series against India.

Reflecting on their recent success against Pakistan, Hathurusinghe emphasized that the team’s playing style and ability to handle challenging situations were crucial in building their confidence.

“The victory in Pakistan has certainly bolstered our confidence as we approach this series. It’s not just about winning; it’s about how we played. In both Test matches against Pakistan, we found ourselves in difficult positions but managed to bounce back effectively. Various players stepped up at critical moments, which has instilled a strong belief within the team,” Hathurusinghe remarked.

India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh includes prominent names such as Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s squad features Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Nahid Rana, Mominul Haque, Litton Kumer Das, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, and Shadman Islam.