IND vs BAN: Bangladesh stick to positive batting against attacking Indian bowlers

IND vs BAN: Batting coach David Hemp said that Indian bowlers attacked the stumps, but also talked about the importance of Bangladesh batters sticking to their positive approach.

In Short

• Bangladesh conceded a lead of 227 runs in their first innings
• Bangladesh were asked to chase 515 in the fourth innings
• Bangladesh need 357 more runs to win

Bangladesh batting coach David Hemp said that Indian bowlers made life tough for the Tigers in the Chennai Test by attacking the stumps. In the first innings of the opening Test, both their openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, were out bowled. Both Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep bowled from around the wickets and gave India the early breakthroughs.

Later, Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj cleaned up the tail and bowled the visitors out for 149, helping India take a huge lead of 227 runs in the first innings. Hemp said that Indian bowlers got the rewards for making the Bangladeshi batters play.

IND vs BAN, 1st Test, Day 3: Highlights | Full Scorecard

“The difference between the first and second innings is balls faced. Firstly, Indian bowlers challenged the stumps really well and knocked people over. So we did not get any significant partnerships. In the second, we got people that got in and faced balls,” Hemp said in a press conference after Day 3.

“If you are not facing balls, and you have got a new player coming in, it becomes tough. What India did really well was attacking the stumps and got the rewards for that,” Hemp said.

‘India are a confident side’

Chasing a mammoth target of 515, Bangladesh made a positive start through Zakir and Shadman, who both looked in great shape. After they got out, Najmul Hossain Shanto played his shots to rack up his fourth half-century in Test cricket. Hemp said that Bangladesh’s approach has always been to try and score as many runs as possible.

India haven’t lost a Test series at home for the last 12 years since last going down to England way back in 2012. Hemp is aware of the challenge that India pose, especially in their own backyard where they are a force to be reckoned with.

“The mindset about our approach doesn’t change. It’s all about scoring runs. It’s just that players got tested early on in their innings in and around the stumps and that was a big difference. We are playing against India, some quality bowling. India are a confident side, especially playing at home. So, it was a case of how did we match them,” Hemp said.

“You have to look to score and that’s what was reinforced to the batting group in particular, to trust themselves and trust their strengths, but have at the back of your mind that’s it’s about trying to score runs,” Hemp added.

The Tigers, however, have a mountain to climb to give themselves any chance of winning the Chepauk Test. The visiting team needs 357 more runs to win with Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan in the middle.