The spot light was destined to fall on Liton Kumar Das as the 20-year old was by far the best thing that happened for Bangladesh in the recently drawn Test against India. Weather permitted very minimal play across the five days as Bangladesh were forced to follow-on losing seven wickets on the last day after India made 462 for six in their first innings.
Liton bagged heaps of praises starting from commentators to the opposition players and he deserved it. His 45-ball 44 was not enough to help his side avoid the follow-on, but the innings was filled with utmost confidence and courage.
Right-handed Liton was tested by Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin on the spinning track and he replied by taking them on by using good use of his feet. Also getting his first call-up in the one-day side, Liton’s chances of making his debut are bright as Mahmudullah is absent due to injury.
“The innings was okay. My target was to (help) avoid the follow-on, maybe play a bigger innings for the team. I wanted to take the team to a better position. It was bad luck that I couldn’t do it,” said Liton yesterday.
A genuine top-order batsman, Liton batted at No 7 against India. He has been in scintillating run scoring form in the domestic arena and although he felt the difference between the domestic and international match, he said, “I just played according to the merit of the ball. When it was there to hit, I hit it.”
“I think everyone stay a bit tensed when they are making their debut. I was confident because I had done well in domestic cricket. I was in (good) touch this season,” he added.
Liton repeatedly said before the Test match that he doesn’t mind batting at any position and he proved it by the brief innings on Sunday afternoon. Part of the ODI squad now, Liton’s focus hasn’t shifted and he is still eager to help the team in which ever role he is given.
The full Bangladesh one-day sqaud for the upcoming three match series practiced in Mirpur yesterday while the visitors India took a day-off and spent the time at their hotel.
