'Will try to adapt...,' Bangladesh skipper Najmul Shanto plays down pitch talk ahead of first India Test

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has played down the pitch talk ahead of the first Test against India which starts September 19 in Chennai. Shanto said that he doesn't want to think too much about it and will try to adapt to the conditions quickly.

"As far as the wicket is concerned, it will be a good wicket. I don't want to talk too much about it. We will try to adapt the wicket as soon as possible," Shanto said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the first of two Tests.

Also Read:India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav declared fit to play in Duleep Trophy final round

"I think we have a very experienced spin-bowling attack. But I think in the last couple of years, we have had very good pace bowlers as well. I know they are not that experienced, but they are capable of doing. So, I am not thinking too much about spin or pace bowling," he added.

Bangladesh are confident after beating Pakistan 2-0 in the two-Test away series recently but the skipper said it is 'in the past.'

"I think we played very good cricket against Pakistan, which gives us a lot of confidence. But, that is in the past," he told reporters on Wednesday (Sep 18).

"We are here to play a new series, and the dressing room believes we can play very good cricket. We are not thinking about the outcome, but just trying to follow our processes," added the 26-year-old skipper.

India coach Gambhir joins pitch debate

India coach Gautam Gambhir has asked for debate on Indian pitches to end ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh. Gambhir also asserted that nobody can prepare a wicket with a guarantee that the Test will go on for five days.

"If there is too much help for the fast bowler, then no one talks about it. So, I think we have to be fair and clear on that front. I don't think anywhere in the world where you can prepare a wicket where you say that this Test will go on for five days," he said.