Bangladesh batters have struggled to build on promising starts, often undone by impactful Indian bowling.
On Day 3 of the Chennai Test, openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam put up 62 runs while chasing a daunting target of 515, but the team collapsed to 158/4 by stumps. Zakir scored 33, and Shadman added 35, while Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim both managed just 13.
After the day’s play, Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp urged his players to convert good starts into bigger scores, citing similar struggles during the March series against Sri Lanka.
“Once you’ve faced 20-30 balls and settled in, it’s crucial to push on, especially when you’re in the 30-40 run range. You’ve done the hard work, so make sure to capitalize,” Hemp shared.
He also stressed the importance of batting longer, saying, “After facing 40-60 balls, the goal should be 120. That’s when you’ll see meaningful rewards.”
Reflecting on the Sylhet Test loss to Sri Lanka, where Bangladesh fell short of 200 runs in four consecutive innings, Hemp acknowledged the team’s continued struggle to maintain form. With Bangladesh trailing by 357 runs in the Chennai Test and only six wickets remaining, even a draw appears unlikely.