Shanto will bounce back against India: Bangladesh batting coach

Najmul Hossain Shanto, ever since he has become the captain of the Bangladesh team in all formats, has not been able to perform in the same manner that he did as a player. In six Tests, he has an average of 23.27 in 11 innings as skipper. Outside the ton he scored against New Zealand, his average reads 15.5.

This has got him in trouble among critics as they think that Shanto is not playing up to his potential, mainly due to the burden of captaincy. However, the batting coach of Bangladesh, David Hemp, feels that Shanto is dealing with the burden well and will make a comeback sooner rather than later. 

"The captaincy of any team, let alone an international team, is difficult because you're so much in demand. Conversations with teammates, being in meetings, having to do media work, and conversations with the coaches and staff. So you're getting pulled all over the place. So, that's a huge challenge, especially at the international level," Hemp was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz while talking about Shanto’s form. 

"I thought his approach in the last Test (against Pakistan) was excellent. Look, I don't personally think so (captaincy affecting his game). He's training well. He's trying to improve his game," added the former Glamorgan batter. 

Hemp went on to back Shanto to deliver in the India series. "He is just one innings away. I think we saw glimpses of what he can do. It's just now doing it over a longer period," he said.

Hemp is further expecting Bangladesh to take inspiration from their 2-0 win against Pakistan recently and play their best cricket against India.

"Firstly, India at home is a formidable team. This statistically everyone knows. So it goes without saying that they are a solid side, coupled with the fact that they have some world-class players. So, you know, we're under no false illusions that it will be a challenge and we will get tested.

The first Test against India starts on September 18 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

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