We are not taking Bangladesh lightly, says Dhawan

dubai — Indian vice-captain and opener Shikhar Dhawan has said that they won’t be taking Bangladesh lightly when the two sides square off in the final of the Asia Cup on Friday.

Defending champions India had already slotted themselves nicely in the title tilt after remaining unbeaten through the tournament. But the Men in Blue run into a tricky Bangladesh team, who shocked Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“They are a balanced side and they know their strengths. And over the years, they have improved their game,” Dhawan said on the sidelines of India’s practice session at the ICC Cricket Academy on Thursday.

“They are quite a competitive side and hats off to them, the way they played yesterday (Wednesday). When you play good cricket all round — they have been fielding well, batting well and bowling well — doing well in all three departments of the game, you are bound to get a good result,” he added.

Dhawan said that the fact that they defeated Pakistan in what was a virtual semifinal in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, spoke about the quality that they have.

“Of course, we are going to carry on the momentum into the final. We will give it our best shot tomorrow (Friday). It is a big final for us. Like I said, all the teams are quite competitive. Everyone was thinking it was going to be an IndiaPakistan final but Bangladesh won a great match last night (Wednesday). We cannot take Bangladesh lightly because Pakistan are a strong team. Pakistan may have been a stronger team on paper but Bangladesh played better cricket on the day,” he felt.

Dhawan said that they would look to put Bangladesh under pressure by taking quick wickets through their fast men and then let the spinners take over.

“We will try to get wickets quickly with the help of our fast bowlers. Even our spinners are skillful. If you look at Kuldeep (Yadav), it is not easy to read his googly. Both are wrist spinners so then can get turn even on a flat track. So, that is a big advantage for us,” the 32-year-old said.