Being captain will not change my batting style: Mominul Haque

Their current standings in Tests speak about a sea gap. While India are ranked No.1 in the longer format, Bangladesh are placed at the ninth position. India are also placed at the top of the ICC Test Championship with phenomenal 240 points from five matches while the Tigers are yet to start their campaign.

India have won their last five matches on the trot while Bangladesh have lost a Test match against newcomers Afghanistan at home recently. Face to face, the two South Asian sides have played nine Test matches so far with India winning seven of them while two ended in draws.

Yet, against all the odds, Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque who has replaced the banned regular skipper Shakib Al Hasan has tried to put up a brave face. He has also spoken for himself saying being the captain of his country will make him more responsible on the ground and knowledgeable about the game.

Mominul Haque speaks up

The 28-year-old Mominul, who is captaining his team for the first time, is a decent batsman of his side with over 2,600 runs in 36 games at an average of 41 plus.

“I do not think, being the captain will change my batting style. I will apply the same composure I did earlier and will bat in the same manner. Being a captain will help me become more responsible and it will further improve my cricketing knowledge. As a captain, it is a good opportunity for me to showcase my skills. It will be all about adjusting the mental aspect of the game,” Mominul told reporters on the eve of the first Test.

But Mominul knows it will be quite a test for Bangladesh in the series, especially with two of their key players Shakib and Tamim Iqbal not available. The first Test will be played in Indore from Thursday while the second — a day-night one — will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, from November 22.

When asked how it would be like taking the field without two of their star players, Mominul conceded it will be challenging but also added that the rest of the players will be keen to rise to the occasion. Mominul, who last played in the National Cricket League in Bangladesh, can take solace from the fact that the Tigers gave India a good fight in the recent T20I series, losing it 1-2 after winning the first game.

The two teams will be playing for the Ganguly-Durjoy Trophy named after their respective former Test captains — Sourav Ganguly and Naimur Rahman Durjoy.