Team India director Ravi Shastri has stressed that his side will not take Bangladesh lightly when they take on the hosts in the opening Twenty20 match of the Asia Cup, which starts on Wednesday. “I have seen cricket in Bangladesh grow. I am happy to see Bangladesh evolved as a team. No team can take them lightly as they have showed their talent in the ODI cricket last year. They have the respect of every opposition and India will be no different. We will play them in that fashion,” said Shastri during a press conference here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium

Bangladesh displayed a stunning form in the one-day internationals last year as they defeated the likes of India, South Africa and Pakistan at home after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. However, the hosts will be aiming to replicate their winning streak in the shortest format of the game despite a draw in the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe and beaten easily by South Africa. Meanwhile, India seek to maintain the winning momentum gained after defeating Australia and Sri Lanka in the back-to-back T20 series.

Earlier, India got a setback as MS Dhoni, limited-overs skipper suffered a muscle spam during a training session today. The spam appeared to be slightly serious and Indian team management has called left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel as a back up option for Dhoni, in case he fails to recover before the first match scheduled for Wednesday against the host team Bangladesh.