Kanpur, a city renowned for its cricket fervor, witnessed history unfold as the Test match between Bangladesh and India became one of the shortest in the history of the format, lasting just 173.2 overs. As the dust settled on the fifth day, Bangladesh’s head coach Chandika Hathurusingha could not hide his disappointment over his team’s performance while acknowledging the innovative and aggressive approach adopted by the Indian side that clinched them a seven-wicket victory.
Bangladesh’s plans to bat out significant stretches of the final day to salvage a draw were dashed within a single session on Tuesday, October 1. The collapse was swift and comprehensive: in a frantic spell of 21 minutes, the top and middle-order resistance crumbled, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, and Litton Das all falling cheaply.
Chandika Hathurusingha, in his post-match press conference, highlighted the pioneering strategy employed by India under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. “The way India approached the game caught us off-guard. They executed their plans with precision and intensity that we have rarely encountered. Credit must be given where it is due. We were simply not reactive enough to counter their tactics,” remarked Hathurusingha, effectively summarizing the feeling prevalent within the Bangladeshi camp.
Reflecting on the series as a whole, Hathurusingha didn’t shy away from mentioning the lackluster performance of his batsmen. “Our batting line-up did not come into its own throughout this series. Despite some having performed in previous series, we came up short against a high-quality opposition like India. The skill level displayed by India was indeed a class apart, and our players have much to learn and improve upon,” he stated. This, he noted, was especially evident when comparing with their historic series victory in Pakistan, from which Bangladesh had traveled with hopes of success but also aware of the challenge awaiting them in Indian conditions.
“We were mindful that playing India in their backyard is as tough as it gets. It’s crucial for us not to become complacent after winning in Pakistan, so this series should not overly discourage us. It’s important to understand the distinctions in skill and execution, which were apparent during this series,” he added with pragmatic realism.
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The head coach also took a moment to address the perceived gap in skill levels observed during the series, pointing out how it underscored the pressing need for improvement. “Our potential was not realized in this series. It’s been a wake-up call regarding the areas where we need development. Undue pressure on individual players is not the solution; support systems must be enhanced,” he insisted.
One point of media attention was the decision-making in the face of India’s spin attack, specifically Najmul Hossain Shanto’s reverse sweep attempt against Ravindra Jadeja that led to his dismissal. Hathurusingha defended the move, contextualizing it within team strategy. “On a turning pitch, a reverse sweep is justifiable if you’ve honed the shot. It’s potentially as effective as a defensive shot if executed correctly. Mominul Haque demonstrated this well on the previous day,” he explained.
The series left an air of anxiety over the future of some players, notably, Shakib Al Hasan. While questions loomed over Shakib’s continuation in the Test arena, especially given the schedule with South Africa ahead, Hathurusingha provided cautious optimism. “As far as I am aware, Shakib will be playing the South Africa series. We are yet to officially learn if this is his final chapter in Tests. We have succession plans, but replacing someone of Shakib’s caliber is no easy task,” he candidly remarked.
As Bangladesh leaves Kanpur, the lessons from the series are manifold. Hathurusingha’s comments illustrate a team at a crossroads, needing introspection and improvement. While India’s innovative strategy caught them unprepared, it is viewed as a learning curve for a team still finding its feet against world-class sides. As they build towards future competitions, the experiences in India will serve as a benchmark for growth and adaptation.