Sunil Gavaskar warns India against underestimating Bangladesh in the upcoming Test series

Counted days are left before India returns to the red-ball format with a home series against Bangladesh. Bangladesh has landed in India to play a 2-match Test series as part of the ongoing WTC Cycle. Going into the Test clash, India have been termed the favourites to claim the series win. Statistically, Bangladesh has never won a Test match against India. However, the followers of the game know that the team has come close on multiple occasions. Moreover, with their latest series win against Pakistan, Bangladesh seems poised to pose a significant threat to the hosts. Former Indian batter, Sunil Gavaskar has cited the same reasons as he advised India against underestimating the touring team.

Sunil Gavaskar advises India to take Bangladesh seriously in upcoming Tests

Bangladesh is yet to win a Test match against India, let alone a series. However, before visiting Pakistan in August, the team had the same record against them as well. Unfazed by their previous results against Pakistan, Bangladesh scripted a 2-0 whitewash against the hosts. While Pakistan, in the current scenario, is no match for where India stands in the format, Bangladesh, in its own right, is surely in good form.

Speaking about the same, Sunil Gavaskar advised Rohit Sharma and his men to not take the guests lightly. On India’s last tour of Bangladesh, the hosts came close to beating India until Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin scripted a redemption. Sunil Gavaskar highlighted the 2022 incident as he explained his opinion about the touring side.

"By beating Pakistan in both the Test matches played in Pakistan, the Bangladesh team have shown that they are a force to reckon with. Even a couple of years back, when India toured Bangladesh, they were given a good fight by the Bangladeshis. Now with the series win against Pakistan under their belt, they are primed to take on India too,” Gavaskar noted.

With the Bangladesh Tour of India about to start, India is set to play 10 Tests in the ongoing WTC cycle. The team is placed at the first position in the current WTC Standings. However, in order to retain their top spot, India needs to ensure clinical wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand at home. Following the conclusion of home season, India is scheduled to visit Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, their last assignment before the WTC Final in June 2025.