Bangladesh likely to field Litton Das as wicketkeeper and two-man pace attack
Bangladesh are likely to have someone other than Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps for the first time since 2007, when they take on India in the one-off Test match on Wednesday – 20-year-old Litton Das being the beneficiary of the finger injury sustained by their long-time wicketkeeper and Test captain.
Mushfiqur hurt a finger in his right hand during the Test series against Pakistan in May, and was seen struggling ever since. In Bangladesh practice sessions at Fatullah, he was seen only batting in the nets, while young Litton Das donned the keeper’s gloves.
"It is not that I am excited," Litton said. "There is always the plan to be prepared to play in any situation. I would always be hoping to play a match. I will consider myself lucky if I do get a chance, because India is one of the top three teams in the world.
"It is a big opportunity for me. There cannot be a bigger dream than performing well. I would want to give as much as the team wants, in whichever position. I am just training as I do."
Litton, who has been picked for the national team on back of a stellar domestic season where he averaged 81.14 in 15 innings, has the ability to bat at any position in the batting order.
Shahid our most dependable bowler: Streak
Bangladesh coach Heath Streak said it was unlikely that Bangladesh would opt for three seamers at a venue where pace-bowling has largely been ineffective, and backed two of the country’s pacers to make the team.
"We are unlikely to go with a three-seam attack in this wicket," Streak told ESPNcricinfo. "We are probably looking at two but it is up to the coach and selectors, once they have a better look at the wicket as we get closer to the game.
"Obviously it is nice to have Rubel (Hossain) back in the equation. Normally wickets here are quite tough for the fast bowlers so it requires a lot of patience. I thought (Mohammad) Shahid bowled really well in the Pakistan series and showed what he can do. Rubel has been in good form prior to his injury.
"Shahid for us is that dependability. He is the guy you rely on to bowl lots of overs like we saw in the Pakistan Test. He comes in, the captain sets a field and he bowls well to it. He asks the questions. He is not an easy guy for batsmen to get on top of. Hopefully he can be that anchor role for us, with the volume of overs with one or two of the spinners and let the other seamer have an attacking option."