Litton Das had a notable performance scoring 94* against West Indies in the 2019 ODI World Cup while batting at No. 5. However, his recent form has raised concerns, as he has not reached double figures in his last eight ODI innings.
Recent Developments
In a significant change, Litton Das will bat at number five in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. This adjustment was confirmed by Bangladesh’s coach, Phil Simmons, who believes that this switch will benefit both Das and the team.
Phil Simmons noted that middle order batting has been an issue for Bangladesh, and he is optimistic that moving Litton Das down the order will help address this concern. “The middle order has been one of our Achilles heels,” he stated.
Statements from Phil Simmons
Simmons expressed confidence in Litton Das’s ability to adapt, saying, “He has been comfortable batting anywhere.” He added, “I think he’s a lot more relaxed with his game and he sees it as an opportunity to do what the team needs of him.” This sentiment reflects a collaborative approach, as Simmons mentioned, “We didn’t have to convince Litton for anything. All we asked was, ‘this is what the team needs’, and he was happy to do it.”
Litton Das used to bat at number five before the 2019 ODI World Cup, indicating that this position is not unfamiliar to him. Simmons highlighted the challenges faced by wicketkeepers who open the batting, stating that it can be difficult to maintain performance after keeping for 50 overs.
Looking Ahead
As the series against Pakistan approaches, observers will be keen to see how this change impacts both Litton Das’s performance and the overall strength of the Bangladesh middle order. The team hopes that this strategic move will lead to improved results on the field.
