Budding right-arm speedster Nahid Rana is gearing up to make an impact during the two-match Test series against India after playing a pivotal role in helping Bangladesh register their maiden Test series win over Pakistan. Rana was instrumental in helping his team win the second Test in Rawalpindi as he consistently bowled over 150 km/hr and snared four scalps after conceding 44 runs. The 21-year-old acknowledged that India will be a tough opposition to beat at home but mentioned that “the team that plays better cricket will win.”
“Obviously we are well prepared for India series. We have started training. The more we are prepared, the better we will be in execution during the matches,” Rana said in a video shared by Bangladesh Cricket on ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter. “India are a good team, but the team that plays better cricket will win. We will see when we go there.”
Rana’s journey from a promising fast bowler to an integral part of the Bangladesh national team has been remarkable. His ability to consistently bowl at high speeds has made him a standout performer. Nahid is ecstatic after his impressive performance in Rawalpindi and wants to keep executing the team’s plans going forward. “Before leaving, I had said that I wanted to achieve something for my country, and it feels great to have delivered on what was expected of me,” he said.
The young pacer attributes his success to not just training but also a constant focus on improving his skills. “Pace is something you can’t always predict — it depends a lot on rhythm. Sometimes, it just clicks, and suddenly you find yourself hitting those speeds. I never set out to clock 152 kph or push past that. I just focused on executing the team’s plan. My friends and folks back in the village are really happy about my achievement,” he added.
As the team prepares for the crucial Test series against India, Rana’s teammates and coaching staff are diligently working to fine-tune strategies against a formidable Indian lineup.
. The Indian squad for the first Test against Bangladesh includes big names like Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.
Facing such a star-studded lineup, Rana believes preparation and execution will be the keys to success.
“Facing top batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is always a huge challenge, but I’m looking forward to testing myself against the best in the business. These matches offer a great opportunity to learn and grow as a cricketer,” said Rana. His experience in the Pakistan series has boosted his confidence, and he hopes to replicate his success against India. The young pacer’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Developing the stamina to consistently bowl at high speeds and adapting to different match scenarios have been his primary focus areas. The support from senior players and coaches has also been invaluable to his development.
“Having senior players by my side has been a huge blessing. They constantly guide me and help me to stay focused and grounded,” he stated. In preparation for the India series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has ramped up training sessions focusing on areas such as pace, swing, and reverse swing, which are considered essential for success in sub-continental conditions. Rana emphasized the importance of these detailed training regimens.
“Every session is crucial, from video analysis to physical training and practicing different match situations. We are leaving no stone unturned. We know the series against India will be challenging, but we are all prepared to give our best and make our country proud,” he elaborated.
His journey serves as an inspiration to many young cricketers back home who aspire to don the national jersey. Sporting a smile of determination, Rana appears ready to face the upcoming challenge head-on, fully aware of the stakes involved.
As Bangladesh gets ready to face India in what promises to be an intense two-match Test series, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Nahid Rana, the fast-bowling prodigy, to see if he can once again lead his team to glory and carve his name amongst the legends of the game. The cricketing world watches with bated breath as Bangladesh and India lock horns in what could be a landmark series for both teams.
