In the wake of a disappointing performance in the first Test against India, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto voiced his frustration with the team's batting shortcomings, particularly during the first innings. Bangladesh faced a steep decline, finding themselves in a precarious position at 40 for 5, which ultimately contributed to a 280-run defeat, with over five sessions remaining.
Reflecting on the match, Shanto remarked, "We didn’t bat well in the first innings. That phase of the game was crucial. If we had at least one significant top-order partnership, we could have been in a better position." Although there were some signs of improvement in their second innings, where they managed 234 all out compared to their first innings total of 149, the captain acknowledged that the team's performance still did not meet expectations.
The openers showed potential in their second innings, with Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam adding a crucial 62 runs, but Shanto pointed out that it wasn’t enough against a hefty target of 515. He stressed the importance of building timely partnerships, stating, "Spending time at the crease is vital, but it wasn’t sufficient today. Nonetheless, it will benefit us in the second Test."
On a positive note, Shanto achieved his first Test fifty in 11 innings, scoring an impressive 82 runs, including eight fours and three sixes. However, he acknowledged room for improvement given the challenging conditions. "I believe everyone has a different strategy. I hope they (India) will have a different plan for the next match," he commented, indicating his readiness to adapt and enhance performance.
The captain highlighted the difficulties faced against India's bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj, who posed a formidable challenge during the morning session of the fourth day. Shanto described this phase as tough and recognized that, despite the team's efforts, the overall performance was unsatisfactory, especially following a middle-order collapse that saw six wickets fall for just 40 runs.
Bangladesh’s batting coach, David Hemp, emphasised the crucial need for openers to make strong starts, urging players to build on their initial successes. "You want to capitalise on that, especially after scoring 30 or 40 runs," he said, underscoring the importance of converting promising starts into significant contributions.
As the focus shifted to the upcoming Test in Kanpur, both Shanto and Hemp acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by the top order. The captain's remarks highlight a broader issue within the batting lineup—concerted action from multiple players is essential to avoid similar disappointments in the future. Failure to address these persistent challenges could lead to another difficult contest against a strong Indian team.