Litton Das, despite recording only a single half-century in T20 internationals over the past year, has secured the endorsement of Bangladesh’s assistant coach, Mohammad Salahuddin, as the country’s T20I captain leading up to the next year’s World Cup. This support follows the stepping down of Najmul Hossain Shanto earlier this year.
In recent months, Litton has struggled, with a modest strike rate of 101.76 in T20Is. His place in the ODI team has been questioned, leading to a rest from the Test squad as well. Nevertheless, he is set to helm the team during the upcoming two-game T20I series against the UAE in Sharjah.
Salahuddin highlights Litton’s leadership potential, pointing to his captaincy during Bangladesh’s 3-0 series victory against the West Indies last December. Although Litton managed just 17 runs in that series, his strategic decision-making under pressure drew praise. “From the Litton I knew for a long time to the one I saw leading the team [in the West Indies], it is like night and day,” Salahuddin remarked in a Dhaka press conference. “I think Litton has all the ingredients of a good captain. He can motivate the players. He is good with strategy. He is trying to take it forward. I think he will do well if allowed to work independently.”
Salahuddin also addressed the inherent challenges of captaincy in Bangladesh. “We must realise that he is the captain of Bangladesh, which for us stands for the whole country. Leading Bangladesh is a very difficult job,” he explained, dispelling any notion of simplicity in this role.
Following Shanto’s departure from captaincy, Litton appears to be the front-runner for the position in the current T20I setup. With Mehidy Hasan Miraz absent from the format, leadership options are limited, as highlighted by Mahedi Hasan’s recent appointment as vice-captain.
Salahuddin frankly acknowledged the team’s inconsistent performances. “We have to admit that we are not consistently performing at the highest level. It is a big challenge,” he stated. As Bangladesh faces a packed summer T20I schedule, with series against the UAE, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India, improving performance remains crucial.
Preparation is key, and Salahuddin emphasised the importance of working on both skills and fitness during this hectic period. “We had some training sessions targeting skill development. We have also stressed on the players’ fitness,” he noted, advocating for the improvement in executing vital shots during matches.
As Bangladesh girds up for a busy cricketing season, Litton Das’s leadership will be heavily scrutinised, balancing the weight of expectations with the opportunity to shape the team’s future direction.
