Rahim annoyed by second-string India squad

Cricket365
July 27, 2014

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has expressed irritation at the quality of the India side being sent to face the Tigers in a three-match ODI series, saying he hadn't though India would take the series so lightly.

India will be led by Suresh Raina for the series in Dhaka, and the squad is missing eight of their usual players. This is ostensibly so India can prepare for their tour to England, but Rahim feels a fire to prove a point now.

Rahim said:"I didn't expect them to take this series so lightly. We have a chance to give a reply on the field. There is extra motivation. They haven't invited us yet so if we do well in this series, it sends a message.

"We have defeated their best team in the past. They have a young team, and despite the standard of the IPL, international cricket is a more difficult stage. And one should not forget that if they lose, India will lose, not India A. The pressure will be on them.

"I know most of them, and have seen them play. Even though I haven't played against them, I have some idea. Shakib [Al Hasan] has played against all of them, so we will pick his brain. In this day and age, it is hard not to have knowledge on a player."

The skipper went on to say that the pressure on his team was higher now, given they could be expected to beat the second-string India side, and that would be tricky given the new players they'll face.

Rahim added: "After seeing their team, I realised that there will more expectations on us. But usually there is more pressure when we play against India, even when they had Dhoni.

"Everyone wants us to beat them, so pressure was always there. We have to focus on what we are doing, since we have struggled in the last few months. If we can play to our potential, it is not impossible to beat their team."