India have a strong batting order, says Mashrafe Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Mortaza says India will start as the favourites when they tour their neighbour for one Test and three One Day International (ODI) matches series starting this month.

The last time two teams met was at the quarter-finals of the recently concluded World Cup in Australia where India defeated Bangladesh by 109 runs before losing the Aussies in the semis. The match won by India was surrounded by controversial umpiring which fuelled the already ignited cricket rivalry between the two nations.

Mashrafe is now looking forward to the all star-studded Indian batting unit coming into his country.

"India have a strong batting order. You can't rule out anyone. There is Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinjya Rahane - they are all in good form.

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni has done well in the last six to eight years. So it's difficult to pinpoint one of them. The bowlers, especially the quicks, have been in good form since the World Cup," Mashrafe was quoted as saying by cricket365.com.

When he was asked if he wants to play in India, the 31 year-old fast bowler replied saying that he hopes to tour India soon as his team has travelled every Test playing nation so far in the last 15 years.

"Yes, definitely the boys really want to play in India. We are looking forward to it. Maybe, at some stage, we will go there and play."

The pacer lead Bangladesh when they whitewashed Pakistan by 3-0 in the recently concluded ODI series at their home.