NEWS
Follow UsBangladesh's new ODI captain Litton Das is hoping pick some helpful tips from former skippers Mahmadullah, Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim as they face India in a three-match series starting on Sunday in Dhaka.
BCB were forced to name Litton as their captain after regular ODI captain Tamim Iqbal was suffering from a groin injury and is also doubtful for the two Tests later in the month. Das, who had previously captained Bangladesh in one T20I in New Zealand last year, is ready for the new challenge.
"I am thankful to BCB for giving me the opportunity to lead the side in such a big series. I am excited and will try to showcase my ability. Responsibility is also there when you play only as a player. But there will be an added responsibility to guide the side when you are the skipper. We have regular talks so far and nothing more than that. I will have opportunity to work with the team for 10 days. I hope to get good feedback from the team," Litton said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
The top-order batter was suddenly thrust into a big role in April, 2021 when Mahmudullah was injured, but this time around he has done the homework.
"That was some sort of vacation (T20I against New Zealand) as I didn't know anything. I was named skipper suddenly but this time around I have heard the way you have got the news," he said.
His predecessors had to give up captaincy due to immense scrutiny, loss of personal form or pure reluctance as it is in the case of Shakib. But Litton is hoping their experiences would come in handy for him.
"I am really happy that when I got the chance to lead the side I have got three experienced cricketers who are playing for 15 years. I will definitely want them to support me and I am assured that whenever I will need anything, the big brothers will come forward and help me out," he said.
Despite their dwindling fortunes in Test and T20Is, Bangladesh have been competitive in ODIs by winning eight of their 12 matches in this year. They had also beaten India in their previous bilateral series in 2015. India captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the fact that it will not be cake walk for the visitors as Litton felt the same.
"We have been playing very competitive cricket against them in recent times. They don't think us as underdogs and that is a big thing. Our target will be to play for the win. It is possible to fight against them. We have good balance in all three departments. India are also a strong side. But you have to admit that we are also a good side at our conditions," Litton said.
Besides Tamim, the hosts will not be without lead pacer Taskin Ahmed for Sunday's match. However, Litton was confident that his team is capable of being competitive without them.
"This is a format in where we play really well at home. Of course we will miss two players. But those who are here have good quality to perform. The spectators will be here for us. I don't know how the wicket will behave. But they don't know much about the wicket here either so this is a plus point for us," he said.
