Kohli key but can’t write off others either: Shakib

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Tuesday said Virat Kohli is the key player for India, but his team cannot take other batsmen lightly either as they are all match-winners.

Even though the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina have not been among runs, Shakib said his team will not take any of the Indian batsman lightly.

“Obviously he (Kohli) is key player for India. They (Rohit, Dhawan, Raina) are all match-winners and yes, they have not been among runs, but we have to be on the watchout because India has the world’s best batting lineup. So, we need to be careful and we need to be very disciplined with our bowling and fielding to restrict them,” Shakib told reporters on the eve of Bangladesh-India encounter here. Shakib said toss might play a crucial role on Wednesday but his team has to play good cricket against India.

“It is important for both the team. Toss might play a crucial part, but it is more important how we play in the middle. We have to be careful because India is playing for the trophy. We need to be very disciplined in batting and bowling. We need to play our best on Wednesday,” he said.

Asked how the team has responded to Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed’s suspension, Shakib said, “Obviously it is disappointing to lose two crucial players at crucial situation, but we cannot help because there is nothing in our hands. We have to move forward and need to focus on Wednesday’s game. That’s all.”