Downplaying concerns regarding India's net-run rate requirements in the ongoing World T20, India's left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra on Tuesday said that his side are currently focusing on winning their must-win clash against Bangladesh.
India are third behind Pakistan in terms of run-rate despite hammering the arch-rivals at Eden Gardens in Group B clash on Saturday.
"We are aware of the net-run rate but the main thing is winning the game. We are taking one game at a time. First we have to win the game and we are concentrating on that," Nehra told the media on the eve of their third World T20 group-stage match against Bangladesh at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Nehra has contributed significantly to the Indian team's recent success in Twenty 20s, and the old warhorse says he is enjoying his role of a mentor in the fast bowling department.
India lost to New Zealand in the opening match at the ongoing World T20 before turning it around against Pakistan, and Nehra did his bit in both crucial games, taking a wicket each for 20 runs.
"I am enjoying it. My job is very important, to pass my experience which I gathered in last 16-17 years to Bumrah, Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I am sure I am helping them," Nehra said on the eve of their match against Bangladesh.
Nehra said the mood in the Indian camp is good after a thumping win over Pakistan.
"Our mood is good. The kind of cricket we are playing in the last two to three months, we are all happy and satisfied. Hopefully, we would like to take it forward, even further. The kind of firepower we have, if put to use, we will definitely win the game," he said.
The left-arm pacer asserted that there is no room for complacency going into the remaining league games.
"This game, everyone knows, from day one -- every game is a knockout game. There is a possibility that even if you win three out of four games, you still cannot qualify as the format is such that there is no room for complacency," he said.
Nehra said India is not taking Bangladesh lightly.
"Bangladesh have been playing good cricket for the last two to three years. The way they have improved is quite amazing. We will not take Bangladesh lightly. We have to play to our potential if we have to beat them," he said.
Asked for his comments on slower bowlers making an impact in the tournament so far, Nehra said: "It depends where you are playing and what kind of situation you are in, because T20 is such a kind of format where the wicket definitely plays a big role. In Nagpur and Kolkata, slow bowlers came into play, and the match between England and South Africa saw sea of runs," he said.
Nehra also defended his Delhi teammate Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina for not doing well in the last two games.
"They didn't score in last two to three innings, and that is why you are asking this question, but before the WT20 tournament Shikhar played a wonderful knock in the Asia Cup final which won him man-of-the-match, and somebody like Rohit Sharma also has performed well," he said.
"You cannot judge players on the basis of two to three innings because there is pressure on both batsmen and bowlers. It is a difficult format," he said.
On the absence of suspended Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny from the Bangladesh squad, Nehra said their absence does not reduce the bowling firepower of the opposition.
Asked to comment on Mustafizur Rahman, Nehra said, "He is a gifted player, especially he has a very good slow ball. He is very good prospect for ODI and T20, and the good thing is, he plays for my IPL team."
