Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has candidly admitted that his team doesn’t know how to consistently post 180 plus totals in a T20 game.
Batting has been Bangladesh’s weak link for a while, especially their approach in the powerplay. They struggled to 39 for two in six overs on Sunday night before managing a below par 127. India chased that down in just 11.5 overs to go 1-0 up in the series.
“We have the ability, but we have room for improvement in our skills. We have been batting in this way for the last 10 years. Sometimes we do well. We have to make some changes, perhaps where we practice back home.”
Shanto feels that tracks in Bangladesh aren’t conducive for big scoring games of T20 and that has affected their collective batting performance.
“We play on 140-150 wickets at home. Our batters don’t know how to score 180 runs. I won’t blame just the wickets, but we have to consider skills and mentality,” Shanto said following the crushing loss.
The batters’ shot selection was also questioned with the likes of Litton Das falling to ordinary shots.
“I wouldn’t say we played badly. We are a better team than this. We haven’t done well in this format for a long time, but I don’t believe we are such a bad team,” said Shanto.
“I don’t want to talk about any individual player. I think the batting unit didn’t do well today. There will be aggression in the way we approach our scoring, but sometimes we have to select the deliveries correctly. We will think about it, but we can’t rush in changing our approach.”
Shanto went on to say that their powerplay approach needs to be reviewed with the opening stands having contributed only 69 runs in the last eight innings.
“Powerplay is definitely a worry. The approach we talked about (before the game), it will be successful if we make a good start with the bat.
“We have to keep the wickets in the first six overs, and score runs in those. Otherwise those coming in next, it becomes too challenging for them. We have struggled in the powerplay. Those batting in the power play must take more responsibility,” said the southpaw.
Rookier Indian pacer Mayank Yadav made a promising debut on Sunday, generating speeds close to 150kmph in his first competitive game in five months.
He hurried the batters but Shanto said they are used to facing such speed in the nets.
“We have some similar fast bowlers in the nets. I don’t think we were too worried about (Mayank Yadav). But he is a good bowler,” he added.
Surya gives you freedom, he is a calm captain: Debutants Mayank, Nitish
Gwalior,(PTI) Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy were expectedly nervous ahead of their India debut in the first T20 International against Bangladesh here but the newcomers said skipper Suryakumar Yadav helped them stay calm with his comforting words.
Mayank, the 22-year-old pace sensation, made his debut here on Sunday after recovering from a recurring abdominal strain after playing only four matches in this year’s IPL. He impressed in the first match returning with figures of 1/21 from his four overs.
Nitish, 21, also made instant impact by remaining unbeaten on 16 off 15 balls, to help India register a commanding seven-wicket win in the series-opener.
“He (Suryakumar) gives you freedom. When I was taking the run up, he was telling me ‘do what you feel, what you feel best’. So that’s very important for any fast bowler, specially when you making your debut,” Mayank told BCCI.TV.
Nitish added: “He is very calm and cool. He is doing fabulous captaincy, not giving any pressure to us. We were debutants, obviously we will have nervousness and pressure. He gave that license to us. Any youngster would like to get it from the captain.”
Taking about his debut after the long injury layoff, Mayank became emotional.
“It’s a great moment because I am coming from an injury. I was a bit nervous, like I was telling myself don’t stress yourself.
“When I got to know I am going to play my first match, making my debut, complete flashback of last four months came in front of my eyes,” he said.
The speedster started his international career with a maiden over on Sunday and credited bowling coach Morne Morkel for shaping him.
“It felt good. I was not like thinking that I am going to bowl a maiden over. Just wanted to live in that moment, enjoy that moment,” Mayank said.
“It’s very comfortable for me, I am with him (Morkel) for the last three years. I know him, he knows me very well. So, it’s very easy for me to work with him. He knows which things are better for me.”
Nitish too was satisfied with his debut performance, saying it was a dream-come-true moment for him.
“For any cricketer in India it’s a big moment. Playing for Indian cricket team is a dream-come-true moment. Obviously, there was nervousness but I enjoyed that. It was a very proud moment for me and my family as well,” he said.
“There are senior players and I got a lot of experience as well from the coaching staff. Even in bowling as well getting some keen points. I love this kind of atmosphere in the dressing room.”
The second T20 of the three-match series will be played in New Delhi on Wednesday.
