IND vs BAN | Russell Domingo aims for total 'structural changes' in Bangladesh Cricket
Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo believes that the Bangladesh Team needs changes in their team structure to provide a challenge to India in the Test series. Domingo believes that the T20I series diverted the attention of the team from the World Test Championship and that has cost them dearly.
Bangladesh's rise in white-ball cricket has been astounding in the past decade as they are a force to reckon with now with the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, etc all having enough experience at this level. But as far as red-ball cricket is concerned, their progress has been anything but consistent and Domingo believes that there need to be some changes in the team structure at the fundamental level in order to make the team more competitive.
"Bangladesh’s Test record isn’t good. They have won 13 Test wins in 115 matches. If we want to become a serious Test team, we need to make structural changes in the team to ensure performance at home and away. I need to discuss these things with the selectors and captain, and plan a way forward,” he said.
Bangladesh were rattled for just 150 in their first innings by some amazing bowling from Indian pacers and in reply, India piled on the misery and took advantage of Bangladesh's lack of experience of the fast bowlers to get their lead in excess of 340. Domingo feels that the T20 series had diverted the attention of the team and had given them a very short time to prepare for the Test series against an Indian side that is very difficult to beat in their home conditions.
“It is very hard to play with two seamers. We definitely need to find a third bowling seamer who can bat. There’s Saifuddin but he is struggling with injuries. But the structure of the team needs attention." Domingo told Sportstar.
"I think a lot of teams that play against Bangladesh will prepare good wickets, which won’t spin much. We need to find a seamer who can do a No. 7 or 8 job for us with the bat,” he added.
Mominul Haque had been appointed as Bangladesh's Test captain post the ban on Shakib Al Hasan and he has had very little time to interact with the players to understand the kind of team combination that he wants to go in with.
“We had two days with the Test squad before the first Test. A lot of the focus was with the T20 as it was the format taking place first. There hasn’t been a lot of preparation for Test cricket and getting to know some of the players,” Domingo asserted.
But Domingo also praised Mominul for being cool under pressure and believes that he has done well in whatever little time that he has got as a captain to gel with the team and take decisions for the team.
“It is a very inexperienced Test team. It was Mominul’s first day as captain in the field. It is a tough place to be a captain. But he is a calm and composed guy. I am sure he would have learned a great deal today. It is very hard to judge him on one Test match in India after two tough days. He will grow into the job. He has all the right attributes. I think he commands respect as he is such a calm person,” he further added.