Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to save the second Test against India, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure during a crucial session on the final day. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mehidy asserted that if the Bangladeshi batters could hold their nerve, they could potentially avert a loss, despite India’s aggressive strategy to force a result in the weather-affected match.
India, determined to push for a victory despite losing two-and-a-half days to inclement weather, declared their first innings at 285-9 after a mere 34.4 overs, thanks to blistering half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Before the close of play on Monday, Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position at 26-2 in their second innings, having already been bowled out for 233 in their first.
“They came with a good plan and executed it well; yes, I was surprised initially,” Mehidy revealed during the post-match press conference. “After two or three overs, we could see they had a definite strategy. We focused on our strengths and tried to limit the damages to our innings.”
Reflecting on the pace and style of play, Mehidy noted the unusual resemblance to a T20 match. “In Test cricket, you often face different scenarios, and this game turned out looking like T20 cricket. Their plan was clearly to go for a win, and everyone from their top to the bottom order played for runs. We aimed to squeeze those runs in response.”
Despite the daunting challenge ahead, Mehidy remains optimistic about their chances. “In Test cricket, anything is possible. It’s not a fact that we have already lost the match; we have won or at least done well from similar positions before. It’s up to us to seize this opportunity because the wicket is good for batting. It will be challenging, but if our batters can perform well for even one session, it would be a tremendous positive for us.”
He highlighted the necessity of a time-consuming approach on the final day. “We need more time if we want to play for a win.
. We have just one day left—first, we need to think about setting a target and then take 10 wickets. Right now, our primary focus is on saving the match. We will aim to bat for a long time tomorrow. If such a situation arises where we can think about playing for a win, we will, but our safety is paramount right now.”
Mehidy also reflected on the missed opportunities that have left Bangladesh in a difficult position, particularly lamenting the lack of support for centurion Mominul Haque. Mominul remained unbeaten with an impressive 107 runs, but he received scant assistance from the other end. “The first innings is very important in Tests, and Mominul bhai batted remarkably well. Unfortunately, we couldn’t give him the support he needed. If we had, the game could have taken a different trajectory and positioned us better.”
Praising Mominul’s technique and mental resilience, Mehidy observed, “Mominul’s selection of deliveries was exceptional. He’s been able to score runs because his temperament was solid, which is critical in cricket.”
In addition to batting performances, Mehidy lauded the bowling contributions from Shakib Al Hasan, who claimed four wickets in the match. “Shakib bowled brilliantly. Considering how India played on this wicket, his performance was outstanding. He’s an experienced cricketer, and his success in T20 formats gave him insights into handling their aggressive mode. He knew exactly what to do.”
As the team heads into the decisive final day, Mehidy’s call for a cautious approach underscores the blend of strategy and determination Bangladesh will need to navigate the challenging waters ahead. His faith in the team’s ability to rally and his emphasis on strategic play symbolize the never-say-die spirit that Bangladesh hopes to channel to salvage the match against their formidable opponents.