Najmul Hossain Shanto dismisses concerns over emotional composure for India Tests

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has dismissed concerns about his team's emotional maturity as they prepare to face India in a two-match Test series. Despite their historic 2-0 victory over Pakistan, doubts remain about the Tigers' ability to maintain composure under pressure. However, Shanto insists that those days are behind them. 

"A lot of players (have been) playing for the last 10-15 years and are experienced," he said during a pre-match press conference. 

"We don't get very emotional now. We can control our emotions now," he added.

The Bangladesh skipper is optimistic about his team's chances against a formidable Indian side. 

"I think we played very good cricket against Pakistan but that is past. As you have mentioned, that gave us a lot of confidence but we are here to play a new series. The dressing room believes that we can play very good cricket here. We are not thinking about the outcome. We are trying to follow our processes," he said.

Shanto acknowledged India's strength but emphasized that his team will focus on their own game. 

"I think they are a very quality side and we all know that. I think they covered all the bases like batting, bowling and fielding. But we aren't thinking about the condition and the opponent to be very honest. We are just thinking about ourselves. If we can follow our plan and execute our plan, it will be a very very good game," he concluded.

The first Test will be held in Chennai, starting September 19, with the second match set for September 27 in Kanpur. 

The forthcoming Test series will also be followed by a trio of T20 Internationals to be played in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

Bangladesh squad for India Test series: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Jaker Ali, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.

India squad for first Bangladesh Test: 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, Yash Dayal.