New Delhi: With a strategic focus on strengthening their bowling arsenal for future challenges, India aims to build their cricket teams centered around their bowling prowess, according to skipper Rohit Sharma. This statement came after India’s emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the first Test match held in Chennai on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma’s squad showcased a commanding performance, defeating Bangladesh by a substantial margin of 280 runs, thereby securing a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The match concluded in the opening session of the fourth day at the Chepauk stadium, with India clinching victory with five sessions to spare.

Local hero Ravichandran Ashwin was the standout performer, claiming a six-wicket haul and scoring a century, earning him the Man of the Match title. Contributions from Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, both of whom scored fluent centuries, further bolstered India’s position.

“We aim to construct our team around robust bowling options to be prepared for any conditions we might encounter,” Rohit articulated following India’s triumph. “Regardless of where we play—be it in India or abroad—we want our team to be fortified with strong bowling capabilities.”

“In recent years, we’ve consistently maintained this strength in our lineup, ensuring a balanced mix of seam and spin bowling options,” he added.

India set an imposing target of 515 runs for Bangladesh and successfully bowled them out for 234 in their second innings, with Ashwin’s remarkable figures of 6/88 playing a crucial role.

Reflecting on the match outcome, Rohit noted, “This result is immensely satisfying considering the challenges ahead. Despite a long hiatus from Test cricket, our preparation over the past week laid the groundwork for this success.”

Welcoming Pant Back

Rohit also expressed his pleasure at Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket following his severe injury in December 2022, which necessitated multiple surgeries.

In his comeback match in the red-ball format, Pant scored a pivotal 109 runs in the second innings, significantly strengthening India’s position. This marked his sixth century in Test cricket. Rohit acknowledged the hardships Pant endured post-accident.

“Pant has faced incredibly tough times. His resilience through those difficulties has been commendable. Following his return in the IPL and a successful World Cup campaign, it’s clear this format is where his passion lies,” Rohit commented.

“For us, Pant’s performance was never in question. We’ve always trusted his abilities with both bat and gloves. The key was to provide him ample game time,” Rohit concluded.

This victory underscores India’s commitment to building a formidable team foundation anchored by their bowling strength, preparing them to tackle diverse playing conditions worldwide.