IND vs BAN 2024: We didn’t play our best cricket – Najmul Hossain Shanto after series loss

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted they didn’t play their best cricket in the three-match T20I series against India, which they lost by 3-0 after losing the third T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday by 133 runs.

After winning the toss, India posted a gargantuan total of 297-6, which is their highest score in the T20I format and the second-highest overall by any team. Indian opener Sanju Samson completed a 40-ball century, which is the second fastest for the country after Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball hundred.

Samson smashed 11 fours and eight sixes in his blistering knock of 111 runs off just 47 balls. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav also scored a whirlwind innings of 35-ball 75 as he batted at the top of his game. Samson and Yadav added a fine alliance of 173 runs and took the Bangladesh bowlers to the cleaners.

In response, Bangladesh could only manage 164-7 on a run-paradise and Shanto admitted they didn’t bat well in all the three matches of the series. 

Shanto said in the post-match presentation, “We didn’t play our best cricket. We didn’t execute our plans as a batting group in all three matches. Bowling-wise, couple of overs we bowled well in some of the matches. Today all the bowlers didn’t bowl well. It is very important that we believe in ourselves that we can compete against any team. We have to change a lot of things, especially the home wicket. Players need to take responsibility.”

Speaking on the positives, Shanto said, “The way Hridoy batted today was impressive. I really like all the seamers, they tried to execute their plans. The top-order batsmen need to improve a lot.”

Bangladesh was not competitive enough in the T20I series against India and they certainly need to turn a corner in their batting.