Shanto and the team are getting ready to the next match

In the aftermath of a disappointing performance in the first Test against India, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his frustration with the team’s batting struggles, particularly in the first innings. Bangladesh suffered a significant collapse, finding themselves at a dismal 40 for 5, a series of setbacks that ultimately led to a 280-run defeat, with over five sessions to spare.

Reflecting on the match, Shanto stated, "We didn't bat well in the first innings. It was a very important phase of the game. We could have been in a better position if we had at least one [big] top-order partnership." Despite some improvements, such as their 234 all-out in the second innings compared to the first innings total of 149, the captain acknowledged that the performance still fell short of expectations.

The openers showed promise during their second attempt, with Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam adding a vital 62 runs, but Shanto noted that this was not enough against a substantial target of 515. He emphasised the need for timely partnerships at the top order, stating, "It is important to spend time at the wicket but it wasn't enough [today]. Still, it will help for the second Test."

Individually, Shanto found some form, scoring his first Test fifty in 11 innings with a commendable 82 runs, including eight fours and three sixes. However, he recognized that he could have performed better in the face of challenging conditions. "I think everyone has a different plan. I hope they (India) will plan differently in the next match," he remarked, signalling his intent to adapt and improve.

The captain noted the difficulties faced against India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj, who posed a tough challenge during the morning session of the fourth day. Shanto described the phase as tough and acknowledged that while they tried to contribute as a team, it wasn’t satisfactory overall, especially following a middle-order collapse that saw six wickets lost for just 40 runs.

Bangladesh’s batting coach, David Hemp, outlined the importance of getting off to strong starts for the openers, emphasising the need for players to capitalise on their hard work once they settle in. He stated, "You want to go on from that, especially when you scored 30 or 40 runs," highlighting the necessity of converting starts into substantial contributions.

With the focus now shifting to the upcoming Test in Kanpur, both Shanto and Hemp recognized the recurring challenges the top order faces. The captain's words underscore a broader issue within the batting lineup—decisive action is required from multiple players to avoid similar disappointments moving forward. If the team cannot find solutions to these persistent issues, they may face another tough contest against a formidable Indian side.