DHAKA: India skipper Rohit Sharma said on Saturday his side’s month-long tour of Bangladesh will be “no cakewalk”, with several veterans returning to bolster the tourists’ ranks after a lacklustre run abroad.

The three-match One-day International series begins in Dhaka on Sunday, with India also playing two Tests during their month-long visit.

All-format captain Rohit, 35, is returning after being rested for last month’s 50-over series in New Zealand, which they lost 1-0.

“It’s going to be an exciting series,” Rohit told reporters in Dhaka.

“They are playing in their own backyard so we expect them to challenge us in every bit — batting, bowling and fielding,” he said.

“So we have to be at our best.”

Rohit said Bangladesh have evolved into a “different team” since then and could be expected to put up a strong fight.

“They are a very challenging team and we have not had easy wins against them,” he said.

“By no means do we come here thinking it’s going to be a cakewalk for us.”

Injuries have taken a toll on the hosts, with regular skipper Tamim Iqbal and in-form fast bowler Taskin Ahmed both out.

Opening batsman Liton Das will make his debut as ODI captain and said he was looking forward to giving India a tough battle.

“India is a good side, they have both fame and form,” he told reporters.

“But we are playing good cricket against them these days. The big thing is that they don’t consider us the underdog anymore.”

India’s big guns Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are also returning after taking time off from the New Zealand tour.

The side, however, will be without fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury on Saturday with Umran Malik replacing him in the squad.

“...Shami sustained a shoulder injury during a training session in the lead up to the ODI series against Bangladesh,” the visiting team said in a statement a day before the series gets underway.

Malik, 23, is an exciting pace prospect who has played three one-dayers and as many T20 Internationals since making his India debut this year.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2022