‘Have to adjust to team’s needs’
Soumya Sarkar's batting role has been fluctuating in recent times as the left-hander, who is mainly a top-order batsman, had to bat at number six and seven respectively in the two T20Is against Pakistan in January this year, when things did not quite go well for him.
But yesterday, the team management's mantra to provide adequate platforms and having the right player for the right role worked well for Soumya as the left-hander, coming in at number three against Zimbabwe, in the first T20I smashed his second fifty in the format.
The left-hander, for whom it was the first 50 after 21 innings in the shortest format of the game, looked in terrific touch right from the start and smashed a blistering 32-ball 62-run unbeaten knock, which included five sixes and four boundaries.
Courtesy of the furious 92-run opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das, who also scored a fifty yesterday, Soumya later cashed in on the start as Bangladesh posted 200 for three, just their third score of 200 or higher in T20Is. It was enough for the hosts to clinch the first T20I against Zimbabwe comprehensively, by 48 runs.
Although Soumya did not admit that he preferred to bat at the top of the order, citing the team management's decision, he did indicate his comfort of batting at his actual position.
"I have always batted up the order, but I have to bat at number six or seven due to the demands of the team. I have tried to give my best and prove myself wherever I bat. Although things have not gone well for me down the order and I was batting at number three after a long time, I was trying to cement my place, which was in the back of my head. I have always batted up the order, but I had to adjust as per the team's demands so there is nothing about my preference, instead I try to contribute for the team," player-of-the-match Soumya told reporters after the game yesterday.
According to the 27-year-old, who previously tended to keep his strike rate high throughout, now the left-hander looks to attack a specific bowler and to play according to the situation.
Soumya had gotten married just late last mongth, and when asked that had changed his fortunes, he replied with a smile, "I have just got married and played only one game, but I can assume that the change is coming."
There were a lot of questions over Zimbabwe's bowlers, compared to the strength of the Pakistani bowling attack as the Tigers struggled to face the quality bowling in their previous T20I series, which the visitors went on to lose 2-0 in the three-match series.
Soumya admitted the fact and said that it's a matter of planning, when playing against a quality bowling attack like Pakistan.
"At times it depends on the planning as well. Yes, the bowlers do vary and the pace… as well as the variations [are difficult]. Obviously, Pakistani bowlers are much more skillful and we also try to plan according to that," Soumya said.
Comments