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Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stated that poor batting show, especially in the first innings when they were all out for just 149, was instrumental to their 280-run loss to India in the first Test in Chennai on Sunday.

After a spirited first session in bowling on the second day, it was up to the batters to put Bangladesh in a fighting position. But the batters failed miserably, as the Tigers lost five wickets for just 40 runs. 

‘Very important, learning wise, is the batting of the first innings. We have to be more careful about the top order batting,’ said Shanto at the post match press conference on Sunday.

‘We have to put more runs at the top of the order. That is the one learning I can tell you about. Going forward, all the batters think they can make a comeback. Let’s see.’

Shanto also thinks that it’s up to the individuals about how they will go on to challenge a world class Indian bowling attack. 

‘We didn’t bat well in the first innings. As I mentioned, it is important to do well in the first innings. As a top order batter, you’ve got some challenges,’ he said. 

‘And the challenge is our choice, for those who bat at top. How we cope with those is important.’

It is not the first time that Bangladesh’s batting has come under scrutiny. Even during the 2-0 clean sweep win over Pakistan, in the second Test, Bangladesh at one stage were 26-6. 

Liton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz then put on a record partnership to turn things around. But this time no one could perform that rescue act. 

Shanto expressed his frustration that they’re not getting the desired result despite trying hard.

‘Batters are working on it. But the results aren’t coming. I hope it will come,’ said the Tigers’ captain.

Bangladesh started relatively better in the second innings than they did in the first, as the openers put on a 62-run partnership. But the batters could not hang around for a long time on the fourth day. 

Shanto thought that batting became tough as the Test progressed.

‘Batting in last was tough as they were bowling on the rough. But I don’t want to put it as an excuse; we have to take these challenges.’ 

The captain, who got his first fifty after 11 innings, was also hopeful to turn things around in the second Test stating in Kanpur on September 27.

‘They are all quality bowlers—pacers and spinners both. But we cannot think much about their strengths.’

‘We have to believe in our strengths and think about how we can contribute to our team. We have many experienced cricketers. I hope they will come back strongly’, he added.