Bangladesh’s cricket team has been left with much to ponder after their recent performance in the three-match T20I series against India. Despite fielding a team with considerable experience compared to India’s young squad, Bangladesh was thoroughly outclassed in all dimensions of the game, prompting introspection and calls for improvement.
Towhid Hridoy, speaking to the press following Bangladesh’s third consecutive loss, candidly acknowledged that the team fell short in all areas. He detailed the inconsistency plaguing their performances, noting that on some days the batting would click, but the bowling would falter, and vice versa. Hridoy highlighted, “We lacked in all departments. One day the batting was good, but the bowling wasn’t, and when the bowling was good, the batting wasn’t.”
Hridoy also pointed to the unfamiliarity of the playing conditions as a significant factor influencing their performance, but he was quick to clarify that it wasn’t a mere excuse. “We don’t usually play on wickets like this,” he explained. “The more we play on such wickets, the better we’ll get. Overall, we have a lot of room for improvement and a lot to learn from this series.”
The series ended on a particularly sour note for Bangladesh with a crushing 133-run defeat in the third and final T20I, resulting in a 3-0 series sweep for the hosts. This defeat marks Bangladesh’s largest T20I loss by runs, surpassing the previous record of a 104-run loss to South Africa in 2022. In stark contrast, India emerged victorious in the first match by seven wickets and claimed an 86-run win in the second game.
Reflecting on the performance, Hridoy emphasized the importance of the top-order contributing runs, which is a critical component in building a substantial total. “Look, in every team, runs come from the top order. When that happens, naturally, you score big. If the top four get big runs, then the total becomes 180,” he stated.
Hridoy was optimistic about the team’s future, expressing that they aren’t far behind, but underscored the necessity for improved adaptability, especially on flat wickets.
. “I wouldn’t say we’re too far behind. We’re not this bad as a side. It’s more about how we can perform on flat wickets,” he remarked. The team’s struggle with reading varying wicket conditions was a significant issue, as he explained, “Most of our players can’t read the wicket properly. We mostly play in Mirpur. If we play in Chattogram, we know what the wicket will be like, but elsewhere, the wicket varies each day.”
Citing India as a benchmark for how to perform on flat wickets with strategic planning, Hridoy reiterated the urgency for Bangladesh to polish their skills and performance across all facets of the game. “If we keep playing on good wickets, we will improve day by day. It won’t happen overnight,” he said. “It’s not just about the wickets; we also need to improve our skills. I wouldn’t say our standard is too low. We’ve played against big teams.”
Recognizing India’s strong performance and skill sets at home, Hridoy accepted that India, being on their turf, were formidable opponents. “India is a strong team, and this is their home ground. They’re good in all aspects and ahead in terms of skill too,” Hridoy concluded, underlining the need for Bangladesh to evolve strategically to compete at a higher level consistently.
As the Bangladesh cricket team returns home, they are confronted with the stark reality of lessons learned during the series. The path forward will require targeted improvements, enhanced familiarity with diverse playing conditions, and an unwavering focus on skill development across all aspects of the game. The series serves as a timely reminder of the intense standards of international cricket and the continuous effort necessary to meet and exceed them.