Soumya Sarkar has simply been a revelation for Bangladesh cricket in the last 12 months, but the 22-year-old is yet to reflect his one-day international performance in the Test arena.
Since his ODI debut in last December, the left-handed batsman played a pivotal role behind the Tigers success in all the 16 matches which easily cemented his spot in the line-up. However, the same cannot be said about his Test career.
He wore the Test cap in April this year during the home series against Pakistan. The opportunity came along with a different challenge for the attacking minded batsman as he had to bat out of his position, below No 5.
After three matches, 37 is is highest score against India.
“I still haven’t been able to prove myself in Tests. The sooner I do that, the better for me. I hope my journey ahead will become easier once I get settled in the format,” said Soumya yesterday.
Hailing from Satkhira, Soumya does not agree that the change in his batting order is an issue as he said, “I have never thought it that way. My job is to play well at any position I am given the opportunity. Test cricket is totally different from ODIs. One has to make a different approach in this format. I will need to hold onto the way I play but at the same time also need to make sure I don’t overdo it. There are few things that I need to work on. Test has a different demand and I need to work hard to fulfill that.”
He can be an automatic choice when it comes to the shorter formats, but his below-par Tets outings eventually saw him lose the place to team combination.
“I haven’t been able to show my caliber in the three matches that I played. So yes, my aim now is to prove myself in the format and I am practicing with that in mind. I am working on things that will allow me to concrete on my spot in the Test side,” he said.
Australia, who recently lost the Ashes 3-2, will set foot in Dhaka at the end of next month. Soumya, speaking on the home series said, “The team is always on toes to face the leading sides in the cricket arena. Including Australia there are few other teams that we always look to play. We have two Test matches against them. This will allow us to see where we stand and how much we have improved.”
