Bangladesh will give India a tough fight in T20Is, says VVS Laxman

There has been some kind of rivalry lately between these two teams. Right from the unlikely win for India in the 2016 T20 World Cup where Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated a bit too early, to the Nidahas Trophy final where Dinesh Karthik smashed a last-ball six to break Bangladesh's hearts, to India's last gasp victory in the Asia Cup final, this series promises to have some spice within it.

Bangladesh are no more the underdogs that they once used to be and they will provide a tough competition to India on the back of star players like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib-al-Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, as former Indian veteran VVS Laxman feels.

"I feel India versus Bangladesh series is going to be a competitive one. The Bangladesh squad is more experienced than the current South Africa team and most of the Bangladesh players are also in good form," he said on Cricket Live on Star Sports.

The rise of many Bangladesh players has made them a strong T20 side. BPL has also helped in the development of talents like Mehady Hasan, Saifuddin, etc. Laxman feels that underestimating this side will lead to India's own peril.

"The Bangladesh team has grown over the years and cannot be taken lightly considering they always give a tough fight to the Indian team in T20Is," Laxman pointed out indirectly reminding the viewers of the past close encounters between the two sides.

Bangladesh will play three T20Is against India which will begin on November 3 in Delhi. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is confident of the series happening as he feels the Bangladesh Cricket Board will solve the issue of players' strike before the series commences.