Kanpur: Bangladesh embarked on their tour of India with high hopes after making history in Pakistan, but their dreams were quickly dashed in a disappointing two-match Test series. After a promising start that saw them reach the top four in the World Test Championship standings, the team has plummeted to seventh place following a comprehensive series defeat.
In just a month, the Tigers have experienced a stark contrast in performance. After suffering a 280-run loss in Chennai, their struggles continued in Kanpur, where the Indian team overwhelmed them with aggressive batting reminiscent of white-ball cricket. Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha could not hide his disappointment after the match.
“This defeat is painful for us,” Hathurusingha stated. “We haven’t seen this approach before, but credit goes to Rohit Sharma and his team for their aggressive play. While our performance in the last series was commendable, we failed to bat well in this series. We are taking many lessons from this experience.”
Despite the losses, there was a glimmer of hope in Muminul Haque’s century, signaling a potential for growth. Hathurusingha emphasized the need for better decision-making among the batters, stating that while the bowlers performed well in favorable conditions, the batting lineup must improve their adaptability.
As the focus turns to the future, questions linger over the fate of Shakib Al Hasan following the defeat in Kanpur. Having started his career against India, there is speculation that this could be his last Test match. Hathurusingha, however, stated he was unaware of any retirement plans.
“I don’t know if this is Shakib’s last Test match,” he said. “As far as I know, he will be playing in the home series against South Africa. Everyone was surprised when he said that was going to be his last series. It’s tough to find a replacement for a player like Shakib. The thought of what we will do without him always lingers, especially since he is in the final phase of his career.”
While the series loss was disheartening, Hathurusingha remains optimistic about making improvements at home. As the team prepares for future challenges, the crucial question remains: Will he have Shakib in the squad for the next series in Mirpur, or will the team have to navigate without their star all-rounder?
