Is Litton Das the solution to Bangladesh’s middle-over struggles in ODIs?

Although they may have overlooked it, Bangladesh’s batting unit is suffering as a result of their inability to maintain a high pace beyond the PowerPlay in recent ODIs. While other teams have begun to pick up the pace in the overs 11–40 range, the focus remains on their failure to dominate in the PowerPlay.

While Bangladesh’s head selector, Habibul Bashar, has stated that improving middle-overs batting qualities is urgently needed, ODI captain Najmul Hossain clarifies the difficulties associated with the requirement.

Bangladesh must adopt the new batting mentality that other teams are embracing wholeheartedly, according to Bashar, the former national captain and current selector who works with the BCB’s game development committee.

Cricket has evolved significantly since the introduction of the regulation limiting the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle from overs 11 to 40. In the middle overs, it is now under control. Although 300 runs are now frequently scored and regarded as extremely aggressive, the reality is that this regulation altered the nature of ODIs. We have grown increasingly inconsistent since that adjustment was implemented. We continue to play cricket in the same manner as before,” Bashar told Cricbuzz.

“We like to speed up in the final ten overs, but that strategy is no longer effective and is out of date. Since that’s how ODI cricket is played these days, you have to take the game away in the middle overs, and every team plans accordingly,” he said.

“Skill is undoubtedly involved, but mindset also plays a significant role. The ability to adopt the new mindset won’t be improved if we are unable to alter that mindset.

Bangladesh’s ODI skipper, Najmul Hossain, however, stated that the home environment is not suitable for getting the team ready for high-scoring matches.

“The way international cricket is going, the ODI game is played with an eye on 300 to 350 runs,” said Najmul. However, we must recognise our strengths, the facilities we have access to, and the types of wickets we played cricket on as children.

“Today’s DPL match between Abahani Limited and Gulshan Cricket Club at BKSP was played on a very nice surface, and if we can play on these kinds of wickets on a regular basis, we’ll eventually get into the habit of making those large runs.

“It’s difficult to bat in the morning when facing a surface like this. The methods one uses when batting in the morning and the evening differ greatly from one another. Therefore, we must figure out how to gradually alter these things.

“The players have developed as far as dedication and eagerness to win matches are concerned, and if we play in good wickets regularly, we will develop the habit of scoring 300 runs.”

“We can definitely do better at batting in the middle overs. The actual game begins ten overs later. Many teams form 100- to 150-run partnerships even after losing two early wickets. It is therefore true that our batting strategy from overs 11 to 40 is crucial, even if we lose two early wickets. We are not publishing 300 as often.

Najmul acknowledged that, in terms of advancements in batting technique, Bangladesh has not been able to stay up with other nations during the past ten years.

“The problem is that, as an ODI squad, we did not develop while other teams made significant progress in their mentality. Their current run total is 350, up from 280 earlier. In domestic cricket, we are still in the 250–270 range. These things occur when we play white-ball cricket at home. We were unable to establish the practice of posting 350 because of this. They are far ahead solely because they have a different perspective than we have, whilst we are stuck in the same place. He continued, “As players, we can do everything together and improve our game in ODIs if we can have the facilities needed for it.

With the recent retirement of several important stalwarts of the ODI team, notably the seasoned pair of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh is undoubtedly going through a transitional phase. Shakib Al Hasan’s chances of rejoining the ODI squad also appear to be minimal.

In lieu of Mushfiqur, Bangladesh would be seeking for someone to lead the squad in the middle overs. Khaled Mahmud believes that right-handed batsman Litton Kumar Das would be a great fit because he is seasoned and prefers to bat aggressively.

“I think Litton can be a terrific number four since he plays spin so well, but you also need to see if he agrees to that because he likes to open. When Mahmud, who had worked with the Bangladesh team in various roles, was asked about a potential Mushfiqur replacement in the ODIs, he responded, “But he has the experience, and if we want some experience in the middle, I would like to see Litton at four.”

“Miraj [Mehidy Hasan] isn’t a long-term possibility at number four, in my opinion. He is unquestionably an excellent player, but in my opinion, he ought to bat lower in the order. He is accustomed to those spots, having batted there since the beginning of his career,” he continued.

Phil Simmons, the head coach of Bangladesh, stated that he is not prepared to place all the blame on PowerPlay batting, stating that the team must find a solution to the middle-order problem.

“PowerPlay is crucial, but it matters more in Twenty20 Internationals than in One-Day Internationals. In my opinion, you must regularly score five-six runs per over or more in the middle overs. The main thing we need to improve as a batting unit for ODI cricket, in my opinion, is that we were under pressure during that time,” he remarked.

Simmons did not completely rule out the prospect that Litton may play in the middle order in ODIs when asked about it.

“I think Litton Kumar is one of the most talented batsman of Bangladesh and when we sit down and talk about batting, he has to be considered,” Simmons said.