KOLKATA – India skipper Virat Kohli found massive loopholes in Bangladesh team because of the absence of their two most experienced players-Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal, stating that it was tough for them to fight against a ruthless Indian side without those two stars.
Shakib missed the series after being banned by ICC for two years, with one year of that suspended due to his failure to report corrupt approaches. Tamim Iqbal meanwhile opted out the series as he wants to be with his wife who is expecting their second child.
Kohli’s comment came after Bangladesh’s meek surrender in both Tests of the series in which they lost by innings margin.
“Firstly they don’t have two of their most experienced players. Shakib’s not here, Tamim’s not here,” Kohli said here at Eden Gardens after the match.
Mushfiqur Rahim is the only batsman to show some guts with two half-centuries in the series while another senior batsman Mahmudullah Riyad showed composure in second innings of second Test before being retired hurt due to hamstring injury.
Kohli said with only two players Bangladesh can’t push the things against India, who remained unbeaten at home soil since 2012. Series win against Bangladesh was their 12th consecutive series victory at home.
“And then, Mushfiqur is the only one. Mahmudullah is there, but you can’t push a team forward with two players. The rest are young, so they will gain more experience,” he said.BSS
