Bangladesh's assistant coach Nic Pothas addressed the team's lack of six-hitting ability in the ongoing T20I series against India. He acknowledged that they don't have many powerful hitters but emphasized that they are working on improving this aspect of their game.
The final match of the series between Bangladesh and India will take place on Saturday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. India has already secured the series victory with impressive performances in the first two matches. Bangladesh's batting has been a major concern in the series, as they have struggled to score runs consistently.
The Bangladesh batters have appeared completely lost in the series, struggling to score runs effectively. One of the key factors contributing to India's dominance has been their ability to hit sixes. India has launched 22 sixes in just two matches, while Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, has managed only eight. This stark contrast highlights the difference in power hitting between the two teams.
Bangladesh's assistant coach blames team's genetic for inability to hit sixes
Bangladesh batters have also expressed their unfamiliarity with batting on pitches where scores reach 180-190. They are accustomed to playing on pitches where 140-150 runs are considered a good score. They have expressed their desire for more such pitches in Bangladesh. Regarding the team's lack of power hitting, Nic Pothas acknowledged that India has stronger players in this regard. He emphasized that Bangladesh is working on improving their strength and conditioning. However, he admitted that while timing and technique are crucial, genetic factors also play a role.
“They have much stronger players. We are working on our strength and conditioning, but you can’t fight genetics. If one player weighs 95-100 kg and another is 65 kg, naturally the heavier player will hit the ball further. Of course, timing and technique are important, and we are constantly working on those aspects,” Nic Pothas told reporters ahead of third T20I.
Nic Pothas attributed the Indian players' preparedness for international cricket to their experience in the Indian Premier League. He drew a comparison between the power hitting of Indian players and West Indian players, highlighting the significant difference in hitting ability.
"You also have to look at the IPL. It’s the best competition in the world, with top-quality players. The IPL prepares players for the international stage. Comparing India’s six-hitting with ours is like comparing how many sixes the West Indies hit compared to us,” he added.
The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh team is relatively young and still developing their skills at the international level. They will be eager to conclude the series on a positive note by winning the last T20I on October 12 at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Hyderabad.
