No matter the conditions, we want to build the team around strong bowling: Rohit Sharma after win against Bangladesh

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma wants to build the team around a strong bowling line-up irrespective of the playing conditions on offer. Team India registered a thumping win of 280 runs in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.

Bangladesh was skittled out for 234 runs in the second innings when they were chasing a gargantuan score of 515 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin bagged his 37th five-wicket haul as he equaled legendary Shane Warne’s record. 

Ashwin returned with impressive figures of 6-88 whereas Jadeja bagged 3-58 in the second innings. In the first innings, India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah had snared four wickets whereas Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj picked two wickets each.

“No matter what the conditions are, whether we play in India, whether we play outside, we want to build the team around [bowling],” Rohit said after the win. “Whatever the condition has to offer, we got to be ready for it. In the last few years, wherever we have played, we have managed to have that in our armoury, whether it is seam bowling options or spin bowling options. You have to give credit to the guys, whenever there is a responsibility, they never shy away from it and they want to put their hand up and get the job done for the team.”

On the other hand, Rohit showered praise on Rishabh Pant for making a stunning comeback to Test cricket. Pant scored a fine knock of 109 runs in the second essay and added 167 runs with Shubman Gill.

“For us, it was never about what he is going to do with the bat, we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well. It was just about giving him the game time. Credit to him as well, he went on to play Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game.”

The second Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Green Park, Kanpur from September 27.