Tigers seem at ease for ODIs

On Sunday, India's Test skipper Virat Kohli had described Bangladesh's ODI contingent as a dangerous side capable of upsetting any team at home. And as Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and company attended their first training camp ahead of the three-match ODI series in Mirpur yesterday afternoon, one could sense that the Tigers too were a lot more excited.

The general training sessions took place with a lot of vigour as the players who just joined the side tried their best to make an impact. The entrance of Sabbir Rahman seemed to increase the intensity of the fielding sessions and it also led Nasir Hossain, who is likely to play a more responsible part in the ODIs as compared to the one-off Test, to up his game as well.

The players suffering from niggles were trying their best to get into their usual rhythm. Skipper Mashrafe, who had hurt his hands in a rickshaw accident on June 4, returned to bowl in the nets. He bowled six overs yesterday and the team physio seemed satisfied with the captain's progress.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who didn't keep in the Test for his finger injury, donned the gloves after a while yesterday and tested himself. On Sunday, Mushfiqur had made it clear that he wanted to keep in the ODI series and also stated that his finger was doing a lot better.

While there's no doubt that the ODI side seems a lot more balanced in all aspects, as compared to the Test outfit, there is however, one spot that the team management is yet to put a lid on. Mahmudullah Riyad's unfortunate injury prior to the Test has opened the number three position for discussion yet again.

While Riyad scored most of his runs in the last few months at number four -- he averages above 100 in that position -- he was compelled to bat at number three with Anamul Haque out of the side. However, in the Pakistan series, he batted at number three and Soumya Sarker opened the innings alongside Tamim Iqbal. As a result, the number three spot is up for grabs again, as it has been for a long time.

With Soumya hammering a brilliant century in the last game against Pakistan, it's unlikely for the team management to demote him. It therefore seems as though Mominul Haque, Litton Das and Rony Talukdar will battle for that position.

Going by the statistics, Mominul should have the best chance amongst the three. He has played just 15 ODIs at that position and has already become the fifth highest run-getter in that position. However, Litton, serving as a back-up wicketkeeper and also impressing many with his fluent innings on the last day of the Test, may just be preferred over the left-hander.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Litton, who opens in domestic cricket, didn't specify as to which position he preferred to play in if picked. He was however, confident of displaying his best form.

"There is obviously a bit of a difference between international cricket and domestic. The main difference is the mentality. And there's also a lot more pressure in international cricket.

"I enjoyed batting in the Test. Unfortunately though I couldn't take my team over the follow-on mark," rued Litton.

An aggressive batsman, Litton hit Ravichandran Ashwin for quite a few boundaries before falling to the off-spinner. When asked about the innings, he said that he hadn't pre-planned anything. "I just saw the ball and if I thought it was worth being hit I did," smirked the youngster.

Describing Mushfiqur as a player of a 'high standard', he admitted that he wasn't looking to compete with his senior partner, with regards to keeping. He however exuded plenty of confidence regarding the ODI format.

When asked if he had to prove anything to the coaches as a debutant, Litton provided a rather unusual but firm reply: "There's nothing like that. They [coaches] know how I have come here. I was the highest run-getter in the domestic league [DPL]. It's all about playing for your team."