Call it over-confidence or just stating a plain fact, India's vice-captain Virender Sehwag on Saturday termed Bangladesh as an ordinary Test side, which cannot surprise the visiting team in the series starting with the first Test, in Chittagong on Sunday.
In a pre-series press conference, which was full of one-liner answers, Sehwag chose to give subtle hints and implied meanings a go by and declared that the result of the two-match Test series was a forgone conclusion.
"Bangladesh can surprise other teams in One-dayers but not in Test cricket. They are an ordinary side in Test. I don't think they can beat us," he told reporters.
"It is not overconfidence but Bangladesh cannot take 20 Indian wickets, even Sri Lanka could not do it. It is difficult for Bangladesh to beat us," he added.
Asked whether Bangladesh have areas of weakness or they are ordinary team as a whole, he retorted, "That does not matter. We are not concerned of our opposition. We are playing well and India have beaten Bangladesh in four (out of five) Tests. We hope to do well in the first Test."
Sehwag said with the joining of top stars Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in the squad, the team spirit has got a major boost. "They have been playing cricket for the last 10-15 years and it feels good to be playing along with them. We want to play good cricket," Sehwag said.
On his own batting record of managing just 23 runs in the two innings against Bangladesh, Sehwag said, "I hope I will do well."
Sehwag also refused to divulge the team composition for the first game, saying it is yet to be decided.
Asked when the newly-appointed bowling consultant Eric Simons will be joining the squad, he said, "I don't know."
The Indian team had net practice at the Zohur Ahmed Stadium for close to three hours with the players having batting, fielding and bowling drills under the watchful eyes of coach of Gary Kirsten.
However, pace sparhead Zaheer Khan, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh stayed back at the team hotel on permission of team management.
