The second Test will be played in Dhaka.
Bangladesh’s bowling coach Allan Donald was happy to see how his bowlers kept Virat Kohli quiet in the first Test against India in Chattogram, saying bowling to Kohli is like bowling to Sachin Tendulkar, and even one mistake can lead them to pay a heavy price.
Notably, the left-arm spinner Taijul Islam dismissed Kohli with a beauty for 1 in the first innings, while the former India captain remained unbeaten on 19 in the second innings during Team India’s 188-run win over Bangladesh in the first match in Chattogram.
Well, the South African legend admitted that Kohli is hungry and would like to end the Test series with a century, but he was optimistic that Bangladesh bowlers would not allow him and KL Rahul to spread their wings and keep them in check in the second Test, which begins on Thursday (December 22) in Mirpur.
Allan Donald told reporters on the eve of the second Test against India: “They are the prized wickets aren't they, it is like bowling to (Sachin) Tendulkar. You know when that man walks into the crease the value of getting it right is absolutely paramount.”
The bowling coach continued, “So when the great Virat Kohli steps out and you miss a chance against him, you are going to suffer because they don't give many chances after that. I thought we have been very good against him and KL and hopefully, that will continue. Virat is hungry, he wants to leave the series with a hundred under his belt.”
He continued, “Shakib is okay, he will bowl. He was bruised and battered in the one-day game here, but he has gone through that. He is available for selection, and available to bowl. Taskin Ahmed is good to go. He wanted to play the last Test but he was very much short of a gallop in terms of rhythm. The build-up in the last Test was crucial for him. He is looking forward to the contest.
Any selectors here? (laughs) If I am talking out of the room a little bit, it will be the same three spinners and welcoming back Taskin and Khaled as well. Sorry to the selectors but I am talking out of the room a little bit. That's what I can see happening. Good news is that Shakib is good to go. Looking at the pitch, I think he will very much come into play.”
Donald signed off by saying, “We want to win. It doesn't matter where you play India, you put that in your highest order of achievements. We know 150 (first innings total in Chattogram) didn't cut it for us. We have spoken about the values of our partnership. We need to be much more resilient, which we showed in the second innings. We are desperate to win. A lot of people including me want to go home for a delayed Christmas with a win under our belt.”
(With PTI Inputs)