IND vs BAN | Bangladesh much better side than they are showcasing, opines Murali Kartik
Getty
Former India international Murali Kartik expressed his concern over Bangladesh’s form even after having such potential in them as he lauded Mohammed Shami for his fiery spell on Day 1 of the first Test in Indore. Shami’s 3/27 restricted the visitors to just 150 in their first innings.
The first game of the two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh, which is currently underway in Indore, has turned into a nightmare for the visitors. After being restricted to a timid total of 150 in their first innings, India has already built a healthy lead of 215 as they bat on with Mayank Agarwal bringing up his second double century.
It seems like Bangladesh who put up quite an impressive fit in the limited over series are very far from replicating their white-ball heroics in the longest format of the game. Veteran spinner Murali Kartik voiced his disappointment over Bangladesh's below-par performance even after having immense potential in their ranks.
“Even in the white ball game it's been erratic and don't you think so. If you look at them and you look at the talent they have, you should be thinking, and the kind of support staff they have, that they have enough exposure if you look at them right now in international cricket. They have been everywhere, they have travelled everywhere and you want them to do much better for the fact that they have had that kind of backing. Bangladesh are a much better side than they are showcasing,” Kartik told Cricbuzz.
The hero of the day for India yesterday was Bengal speedster Mohammed Shami who returned with figures of three for 27. His fiery bowling broke the spine of the Bangladesh side as his fellow bowlers pounced on the visitors to restrict them to just 150 in their first innings. Karthik was mighty impressed by Shami’s determination while his favourite moment of the match was when Shami dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim, the top scorer of Bangladesh in the first innings with 43 runs, with a fabulous inswinger.
“One thing if you notice with him (Shami), there was a time when he was hobbling and 15 minutes later he was running in and pumping the ball,” Kartik said about the speedsters never-give-up attitude.
“Outstanding, just the way he set it up (the Rahim dismissal). Yes, he made him feel that the ball was going to come in and the ball was going to come in but the pace at which it came in and the fact that Mushfiq (Rahim) is their most credited batsman except Mahmadullah and Imrul Kayes, Mushfiq is possibly the best batsman there and the way he is beaten. I feel that him (Shami), getting stronger and getting fitter is a great sight. The way the team has managed him, they know that he has a special talent.”
