Towhid Hridoy, one of the promising young talents in the Bangladesh cricket team, candidly addressed the media following their comprehensive defeat in the three-match T20I series against India. The series, which concluded at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, was a stark reminder of the challenges Bangladesh faces in adapting to different playing conditions, with India securing a dominant 3-0 victory.
Reflecting on the series, Hridoy commented on the all-around shortcomings that plagued their performance. “We lacked in all departments. One day the batting was good, but the bowling wasn’t up to the mark, and when our bowling clicked, our batting faltered,” he said, encapsulating the inconsistency that has hindered Bangladesh’s performance. The variation in their performances was evident across the series.
Despite having a more experienced side compared to the youthful Indian squad, the Bangladesh team was outclassed in skill, with the home team showcasing superior techniques and establishing their dominance convincingly. Hridoy emphasized that Bangladesh’s lack of experience on wickets like those in India contributed to their downfall. “We don’t usually play on wickets like this. I’m not making excuses, but the more we play on such wickets, the better we’ll get,” he expressed, highlighting the need for exposure to varied playing conditions.
The series was not only a learning opportunity for the players but also a narrative of missed opportunities, especially with the top-order batsmen repeatedly failing to provide the solid starts needed to build competitive totals. “In every team, runs come from the top order. If the top four get big runs, then the total becomes formidable,” Hridoy noted, pointing out the significance of the batting lineup’s initial robustness.
Bangladesh suffered a massive 133-run defeat in the final T20I, unable to chase down India’s record-score performance. This marked the largest margin of defeat in terms of runs for Bangladesh in T20I history, surpassing their 104-run defeat to South Africa in 2022. The series loss raised questions about Bangladesh’s preparation and adaptability, particularly as India won the series opener by seven wickets and the second game by 86 runs.
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The conversation around adapting to different wicket conditions was central to Hridoy’s commentary. He articulated that many Bangladeshi players found it challenging to interpret the pitch conditions outside familiar venues such as Mirpur. “Most of our players can’t read the wicket properly. We mostly play in Mirpur, and if we keep playing on good wickets, we will improve day by day,” he stated, suggesting a long-term strategy to improve by regularly playing on diverse wickets.
Towhid Hridoy also drew parallels with India’s evolution on flat wickets, advocating for Bangladesh to adopt similar strategies and planning. “India can be an example for us – how to play on flat wickets with good planning. We need to develop our skills across all departments,” he urged, acknowledging the comprehensive skill set that the Indian team possessed.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Hridoy remained optimistic about the team’s potential. “We’re not this bad as a side. It’s about improving and learning from these experiences,” he reassured, indicating that the team intends to take crucial lessons forward from this challenging tour.
Acknowledging the strength of the Indian team, he concluded, “It’s not just about the wickets; we also need to enhance our skills. I wouldn’t say our standard is low. We’ve played against big teams, and India is a strong team, especially on their home grounds.”
The series served as a sobering experience for Bangladesh, underscoring a pressing need to not only adapt to diverse playing conditions but also to hone their skills further. Hridoy’s insights resonate as a call to action for Bangladeshi cricket as they strategize for future international engagements and aim to elevate their performance on the global stage.