Shanto laments poor batting show
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said the poor batting show, especially in the first innings, was instrumental in their 280-run defeat to India in the first cricket Test in Chennai. The Tigers came into the match, high on confidence following their historical series victory over Pakistan but couldn’t put pressure on India that much for a longer period.
At one phase in the first innings, Bangladesh reduced India to 144-6 and things looked bright for them but Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja put on a 199-run partnership to leave them at bay. Bangladesh then never came back into the game, as India showed how powerful they are at their own condition.
According to Shanto, still they could make a comeback into the game had they put a good total on the board but instead they were bowled out for a meagre 149. "We didn't bat well in the first innings. It was a very important phase of the game. We could have been in a better position if we had at least one big top-order partnership,” Shanto said after the Test. “There will always be a challenge for the top order to do well, especially in the first innings. It is important to see how we are coping with it. We are working towards it but we are not getting the desired results," he said.
After making 376 in the first test, India declared the second innings on 287-4, setting an improbable 515-run target for Bangladesh to win the game. Chasing the target, Bangladesh were dismissed for 234 today at M Chidambaram Stadium. Despite the big defeat, Shanto found some positive things, stating that the 62-run partnership between the two openers in testing condition will give them some confidence.
"It is important to spend the time in the wicket but it wasn't enough. Still, it will help for the second Test. It was very important for the openers to put on 62 runs. That's one thing we can look forward to in the next Test match," he said. Shanto himself got back amongst runs, making 82 which was his first fifty plus knock in 11 innings.
"That's usually how I bat in these type of conditions. I was clear with my plan. I think everyone has a different plan. I hope they (India) will plan differently in the next match," he said about his innings. After resuming the fourth day 158-4, Bangladesh kept them unscathed in the first hour with Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan batting with unwavering resolve despite a probing spell of pacer Mohammed Siraj.
However when Ravichandran Ashwin was introduced into the attack, Bangladesh found them in wanting and lost the last five wickets for just 29 runs. "The morning session was tough today. The way Siraj was bowling. They were all bowling really well. Shakib also batted well. We tried to contribute for the team. We tried to bat as long as we could. Today's morning session was one positive thing. We didn't bat well after that," Shanto said. "I think it was quite challenging to bat today. They were bowling in the rough. I don't want to use it as an excuse. These are challenges we have to take,” he added.
