Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo wants the Bangladesh team to follow the footsteps of India in the longer format of the game. Bangladesh has been going through a rough patch and he said that winning an away test as one of their goals in this new year. Since their debut as a Test-playing nation in the way back 2000, Bangladesh has managed to win 13 tests so far out of 117 matches they have played. Among them, only four tests were overseas.
However, Bangladesh is far better in One Day International format. However, they recently lost by 2-0 in their last test series in India. Both of their defeats came within three days and that certainly indicated how much they are behind in the longer format with respect to other countries. Moreover, their second Test against India was the historic Day-night Pink ball Test and India outplayed them totally.
“Looking at how India play their cricket and developed their game over the last three or four years, it is something that we can aspire to do,” Russell Domingo told ESPNCricinfo. “The wickets they have prepared in domestic cricket, the group of fast bowlers that they have developed, the continuity in selection. We can take big learning from playing against India in the Test series.”
On the other hand, India is in a formidable form in the Tests. Although they are considered as a spin powerhouse, India has a strong pace-bowling attack now in the form of Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami. They are pretty instrumental and have been helping the team to win convincingly. India is currently at the top of the World Test championship points table with seven wins from as many matches.
Bangladesh, however, will play its next test series in Pakistan where Rawalpindi hosting the first game on Feb. 7. Russell Domingo said they will try to do well there and it is important to do well in overseas tours as well.
“There are big lessons in how far behind we are in tests,” said the coach. “Our record hasn’t been great for a long period of time. A big challenge will be to win a test match away from Bangladesh, which is a big priority for us this year.”
