Litton Das advices caution ahead of crucial India series and also wards off against being too complacent and cocky.
Litton Das, Bangladesh’s premier batsman and wicketkeeper has urged his side to not get too ahead of themselves.
He also spoke about the fact that the team is trying to get used to the SG balls ahead of the India series. The SG balls are an exception in the sense that Bangladesh normally play with Kookaburra balls.
“The ball will be a different one in India,” Litton said. “It is a little harder to play against the SG ball. The Kookaburra ball is easier to play when it gets old. It is the opposite with the SG ball. It is harder to get away against the old ball when it’s the SG.”
Litton has implored the media to not bring up the famous 2-0 win over Pakistan. He has also been adamant about not being to complacent ahead of the India series.
“We played good cricket against Pakistan but it is already in the past,” Litton said. “It is important for us to look forward. We will need your (media’s) help. It would be helpful if you don’t talk about the Pakistan series. As a player, it is already in the past for me.”
The only previous occasion when Bangladesh played back-to-back series against Pakistan and India was in 2015. Litton understands the magnitude of the occasion but denies that this will be an additional burden to the team.
“It is inspiring that people will know you if you do well,” he said. “There’s nothing better than that. I don’t think it is pressure. We are improving in Tests, so we have to become more consistent in the format. That’s the main challenge.”
Litton’s middle-order role is a natural fit for his abilities. However, he has shown that he can be resilient when the situation demands.
“I have to take responsibility now,” he said. “It is the right time. I have been playing for ten years, so there has been some experience. I try to score off deliveries that I believe are there to hit. Scoring runs is more important these days. I think I bat in the same way that most batters approach the game.
“I usually get to bat with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz. Sometimes I bat with Shakib (Shakib Al Hasan) or Mushfiq (Mushfiqur Rahim). If I don’t play my shots, the team score won’t go anywhere. I want to play like this. I try to play the way I bat in training.”