Follow UsLitton Das was dropped from the Bangladesh squad after a series of lukewarm performances. The new selection panel took charge recently, and they have put their foot down right away. Litton has just five fifties from his last 30 One-Day International innings (ODI). Moreover, in both ODIs against Sri Lanka, he was dismissed for a duck, facing just four balls.
All-rounder Mehidy Hasan asserted that there is certainly a way back for Litton, but at the same time, he also said that he would also be dropped if he performs poorly.
"Litton da has played a lot of good innings. There are several memorable innings. I don't think his being dropped is that much of an issue. I believe he can come back. He has that ability. We know what kind of player Litton is. He has been dropped, it's nothing much. Maybe he is in a bit of off-form. I believe he will return to the Bangladesh team," Mehidy said ahead of the series-decider against Sri Lanka.
"You have to play in the national team by performing consistently. If I don't play well, I will be dropped too. The national team is a place where you have to establish yourself through performances. Look, Mushfiq [Mushfiqur Rahim] bhai is here after providing the Bangladesh team with consistent services for a long time. There is Riyad [Mahmudullah] bhai, who is still playing. Everyone has their ups and downs. I feel that it's important to stay in the team by performing. You cannot get in the team by playing poorly. This is true for every player."
Gazi Ashraf Hossain, Bangladesh's newly appointed convenor of selectors, had expressed his desire to have a free hand in selection matters, and Litton's axing seems to be such a statement.
Mehidy does not see it that way. "Everyone has their own thought processes. It's just that all the players need to perform. If you can't perform, you can't play anywhere in the world, let alone the national team," Mehidy said.
"You have to play by performing consistently. I think each player needs to get even more serious about performances. They need to work on those areas that need improvement."
Bangladesh eked out a six-wicket victory in the first ODI before Pathum Nissanka's ton helped Sri Lanka level the series. This will be Bangladesh's second series win over Sri Lanka, with the last one coming in 2021.