"Can't underestimate any team," says Shubman Gill ahead of Bangladesh Tour of India

India is set to kickoff the upcoming Test season with a home series against Bangladesh, starting in September. The India squad for the first Test against Bangladesh was announced on Monday with all the main players marking their presence. India is placed first in the current WTC Standings. However, for the team to cement their place in the 2025 WTC Final, India needs to register commanding wins over their guests Bangladesh and New Zealand. Moreover, victories at home against the touring teams will provide India with the much-needed chance to play freely against the Kangaroos in the Border Gavaskar Trophy slated later this year in Australia. However, with the Bangladesh Tour of India being the latest task for India, Shubman Gill has recently opened up on the strengths of the guests.

Shubman Gill takes note of Bangladesh team ahead of India's home Test series

As India prepares for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin on September 19 in Chennai, star Indian top-order batter, Shubman Gill expressed that Bangladesh can’t be underestimated. This series represents a significant challenge for both sides. Moreover, Bangladesh will come to India after registering a dominating 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan at their home. Led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh achieved what no one predicted ahead of the start of the Bangladesh Tour of Pakistan. The victories over Pakistan were no fluke but through and through Bangladesh show in Rawalpindi. They secured a 10-wicket win in the first Test and followed it with a six-wicket triumph in the second, marking the first time Bangladesh has ever defeated Pakistan in a Test match or series.

The history-making win by Bengal Tigers over Pakistan has brought the abilities of the team in the spotlight. Thus, Shubman Gill in his recent interaction iterated that like any other team in the game, India will not look to underestimate Bangladesh in the upcoming series. Though Bangladesh has never registered a Test series win against India but the Pakistan victory was also a first for them.

“I don’t think you can underestimate any international side,” Gill stated. “The kind of cricket Bangladesh has played in the last couple of months, especially in Pakistan, has been impressive. Their fast bowlers and the way their middle-order batters have absorbed pressure shouldn’t be disregarded. So, I believe it will be an interesting and intriguing contest,” the young batter added.

With captain Rohit Sharma at the helm, India will feature Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli in the top order against Bangladesh. Additionally, Rishabh Pant will make his return to Test cricket through this series after nearly two years of recovery from injuries sustained in a car accident. As for India’s bowling lineup, Yash Dayal has received his maiden call-up in place of Mohammed Shami, who is unavailable due to injury. Nevertheless, the pace attack will be spearheaded by the formidable Jasprit Bumrah.

India squad for the 1st Test of the Bangladesh Test series: 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.