In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s defeat in the truncated Kanpur Test, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha expressed regret over the team’s inability to adapt swiftly to India’s aggressive strategy. The match, which was notable for its brevity, lasted merely 173.2 overs, making it the fourth-shortest Test match in history. Despite their efforts to stave off defeat, Bangladesh suffered a seven-wicket loss inflicted by a sudden batting collapse on the fifth day.
Bangladesh’s ambitions to prolong their innings and save the Test were thwarted when they succumbed in just one session on the final day of play, October 1. During a mere 21-minute span, the team lost key players including captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, and Litton Das. Addressing the media post-match, Hathurusingha commended India’s innovative game plan while reflecting on his own team’s shortcomings.
“The defeat is really hurting us in terms of our performance. We haven’t seen this kind of approach (from India) before. Rohit and his team deserve all the credit for devising such a strategy and executing it to perfection. Unfortunately, we didn’t react quickly enough,” Hathurusingha admitted.
The head coach was candid about Bangladesh’s faltering batting display throughout the series. Despite some players having excelled in prior matches, the team struggled to reach its full potential against a formidable Indian side. Hathurusingha acknowledged the high-caliber skills exhibited by the Indian players, emphasizing the lessons his team is taking away from the experience. “This is the best team and playing India in India is the toughest assignment. We know now how much we need to improve,” he stressed.
With Bangladesh coming off a historic series win in Pakistan, Hathurusingha was aware of the formidable challenge ahead in India. “We came here after beating Pakistan, understanding fully well that the challenges in India will be vastly different,” he noted. Hathurusingha emphasized the importance of maintaining balanced emotions in victory and defeat, stating, “We didn’t let success from the Pakistan series inflate our egos, and similarly, we shouldn’t let this loss affect us too drastically. We understand where we fell short here.
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Noticing a stark contrast in skill levels during the series, Hathurusingha admitted, “I think we were completely outplayed. We need to improve. We didn’t play to our best potential, and that’s disappointing.” He added that rather than pressuring individual players excessively, the focus should be on overall team support and strategy adjustment.
He defended the captain’s controversial decision to attempt a reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, resulting in a dismissal. “It’s both an individual and team strategy on a spinning wicket like this. If players have practiced the reverse sweep as a way to counter challenging deliveries, we support those decisions,” he elaborated.
Explaining the team’s approach, he mentioned that they did not solely focus on survival but aimed to play to their strengths in the given conditions. “If a sweep shot is the batsman’s preferred way to counteract deliveries, it should be an option. Unfortunately, our execution let us down in this innings,” he reflected, citing an example of Mominul Haque’s effective sweep shots from the previous day.
The head coach also alluded to the disappointment within the team regarding decision-making during crucial changes in bowling. “It’s evident that we often lost wickets when a new bowler was introduced. We need more time to adapt to changes and execute better,” he stated.
When questioned about Shakib Al Hasan’s potential final appearance in a Test match, Hathurusingha did not offer definitive clarity. While Shakib has sought security assurances for the home Tests against South Africa, no official announcement confirmed his last appearance in the format. “I haven’t heard anything suggesting this is Shakib’s final Test. As per my knowledge, he plans to play against South Africa. We’re all surprised by the rumors suggesting otherwise, given his irreplaceable skills,” Hathurusingha concluded.
This reflective analysis from Hathurusingha underlines Bangladesh’s recognition of their current challenges and the steps necessary to enhance their performance in the competitive landscape of international cricket.