Bangladesh- India Series

Skipper Litton eyes to hunt India in Tiger’s den

Online Desk

Online Desk
প্রকাশের তারিখ: 15:49 শনিবার, 03 ডিসেম্বর, 2022

|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh ODI captain Litton Das expects an even contest when the Tigers face India in the first of three ODIs tomorrow at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

According to wicket-keeper batter, who took over as captain after regular skipper Tamim Iqbal was injured, ruling the experienced campaigner out of the series, Bangladesh have what it takes to beat India at home.

"First of all, I would like to thank the BCB for giving me such a huge opportunity. I am very excited. I will try to give my best. Obviously, India are a big team but we are also a good team at home," Litton said in a press conference ahead of the series Saturday.

Apart from Tamim, the hosts will also miss the in-form quick Taskin Ahmed, but for the first ODI only.

"Definitely we will miss two of our important cricketers but we still have enough good players in our team," the 28-year-old added. 

Litton has previously led Bangladesh in the T20 format. It was in New Zealand in 2021, after regular skipper Mahmudullah Riyad was injured.

The stand-in referred to his previous captaincy as a "vacation" because he was given the role unexpectedly.

"The first one was more of a vacation (captaincy). I got the news of the captaincy this time as you guys got. Every player's dream is to play for the national side and the biggest dream is to lead the country," he said. 

Bangladesh can derive some inspiration from their last home series against India in 2015 where the Tigers won the three match ODI series 2-1 courtesy of Mustafizur Rahman, who turned out to be a revelation in the series. 

Bangladesh hopes to win another ODI series, buoyed by the favorable home conditions and partisan crowd.

"The home condition is a big advantage for us. When we play at home, our goal is always to win the series, so there is no exception in this series also," 

"Obviously India are a better side and bolstered with so many world class players. But, if we can come up with our best cricket, anything can happen. I think we also have got a settled batting unit, good bowling and fielding side. So, there is no reason that we can't beat them. But we must play our best cricket" he added.

The two teams played 36 matches, so far, between them India winning 30 and Bangladesh won just five matches while one match fetched no result.