India are focused on making a strong start to their home test season and will not view their two-match series with Bangladesh merely as preparation for their tour of Australia later this year, skipper Rohit Sharma said on Tuesday.

Rohit’s side begin a busy schedule with the opening match against Bangladesh starting on Thursday, after which they will host New Zealand in three games and then head to Australia in November for five more tests.

“Every game is important while playing for the country,” Rohit told reporters in Chennai.

“It’s not a dress rehearsal for the Australia series. There are World Test Championship points at stake and we need to start the season on a high.

(Reuters)