Bangladesh coach mentions difference in 'skill levels' following Kanpur Test
Bangladesh cricket team head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, has expressed disappointment over his side's performance in the recently-concluded 2nd Test against India in Kanpur. The match ended in a seven-wicket defeat for Bangladesh and was one of the shortest games in Test history, lasting just 173.2 overs. Hathurusingha acknowledged India's superior strategy and admitted that his team failed to respond effectively to their approach.
Hathurusingha laments batting collapse and credits India
The coach was especially let down by Bangladesh's batting meltdown on the last day of the Test. In just 21 minutes, key players like captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, and Litton Das were sent packing. "The defeat is really hurting us in terms of our performance," Hathurusingha said. He also praised Rohit Sharma and his troops for their effective strategy that outsmarted Bangladesh.
Coach acknowledges high skill level of opposition
Hathurusingha admitted that the team's performance was inconsistent in the series, with some players failing to replicate their previous successes. He attributed part of this inconsistency to the high skill level of the Indian team. "The skill level in display in this series was very high," he said, adding that playing against India on their home ground is one of the toughest challenges in cricket.
Hathurusingha addresses Shakib's future in Test cricket
The coach also tackled the rumors surrounding Shakib Al Hasan's future in Test cricket. The all-rounder has asked for security guarantees for the impending home Test series against South Africa before he hangs his boots. Hathurusingha said, "I haven't heard anything to say that this is the last time (that Shakib is playing). As far as I know, he is playing the South Africa series." He also admitted that replacing a player like Shakib would be no easy task.
