Mushfiqur Rahim reveals he 'never sledges star India batter' ahead of ODI World Cup clash against India

India will face Bangladesh in their fourth match of the ODI World Cup 2023, on Thursday at the Maharastra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The Men in Blue are in sensational form in the ongoing marquee event. They so far have won three out of their three matches. Ahead of the clash veteran wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim has dropped a comment about the former India skipper Virat Kohli. 

Mushfiq reveals that he never tries to sledge the veteran batter as he is always pumped up. The wicketkeeper has suggested his bowlers get the wicket of the veteran batter as early as possible and also advised not to sledge him during a game on the field. India has lost to their neighbours only once in the history of the ODI World Cup in 2007. Since then Shakib Al Hasan's side is yet to win a match. 

Kohli has scored 1437 runs in 26 matches against Bangladesh, averaging 65.31. He scored his first World Cup century against them in 2011 in Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh. He was then a young lad full of aggression. The former skipper would love to score a hundred in the mega event. 

So I never sledge him because he gets pumped up by that: Mushfiqur Rahim

Speaking to Star Sports, Rahim said, "Some batters in the world love sledging and get pumped up by that. So I never sledge him because he gets pumped up by that. I always tell my bowlers to get rid of him as early as possible. Whenever I play against him, he always tries to sledge me every time I go in to bat because he is a really competitive guy and he doesn't want to lose any cricket match. I really love that rivalry with him and the challenge that comes with facing him and India."

Kohli stated his battle against Shakib, "Over the years, I've played a lot against him (Shakib). He's got amazing control. He's a very experienced bowler. He bowls very well with the new ball, knows how to deceive the batsman, and is also very economical."