Soumya: ‘There should have been a much bigger celebration after series win’ Against Australia

Bangladesh has achieved a significant milestone in their cricketing history, securing their maiden One-Day International (ODI) series victory against Australia. The home side clinched the series by winning the second match by five wickets, following an impressive 86-run thrashing of Australia in the first ODI. However, despite the magnitude of this achievement, Bangladesh batter Soumya Sarkar believes there should have been a much bigger celebration after series win.

A Historic Win, A Quiet Celebration

The triumph over a cricketing giant like Australia marks a truly special moment for Bangladesh cricket. While the team reportedly engaged in their usual dressing room song, the widespread and effusive celebrations that once accompanied major victories in Bangladesh seem to have toned down over the years. Soumya Sarkar, a key contributor to this historic series, voiced his opinion on the matter.

“This series win is such a big achievement, for which I think there should have been a much bigger celebration,” Soumya stated. He added, “I don’t know how much we have done but it should have been better. If we can make it 3-0, it will certainly be huge, but even winning the series should have been celebrated better. We are focused on making it 3-0 by playing positive cricket in all three departments.” His comments highlight the profound significance he places on this victory and his desire for the team and nation to truly revel in their success.

Soumya’s Crucial Knock and Tactical Brilliance

Soumya Sarkar himself played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s winning momentum during the second ODI. Chasing a target of 192 runs in 41 overs, he contributed a crucial 42 runs off just 47 balls. His counterattacking innings came at a vital juncture, steadying the ship after opener Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck. Soumya then forged an impressive 86-run partnership for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain Shanto, setting the foundation for the chase.

Counterattacking Under Pressure

Reflecting on that partnership, Soumya explained their strategic approach against the formidable Australian bowling attack. “When Tanzid got out, we kept in mind that a big team will always try to get on top of you if you are bogged down. They were trying hard to get wickets, so Shanto and I decided to play normal attacking cricket. We didn’t want to be dominated at that instance,” he elaborated. Their plan was clear: avoid getting bogged down and instead, apply pressure back on the opposition.

The duo understood that allowing Australia to dictate terms by taking their time, despite a moderate target, would hand the advantage to the visitors. Soumya noted, “They used their main bowlers for four- or five-over spells. They were hunting for wickets. Shanto and I planned not to give wickets to their main bowlers, but always be on the lookout for boundaries. We just planned to pick up runs by staying positive.” This aggressive yet calculated approach proved instrumental in neutralising Australia’s wicket-taking efforts.

Explaining the Reverse Sweep

Soumya’s innings eventually ended when he mistimed a reverse sweep against part-timer Matt Renshaw in the 16th over, with the shot finding Xavier Bartlett at slip. Despite his dismissal, Soumya remained unfazed by the shot selection. “If I reached my half-century, my shot wouldn’t come into the discussion. But I thought the shot was on; I had success playing it in the past. I wasn’t successful this time. I would play the shot whenever I feel it is necessary,” he asserted, demonstrating confidence in his instincts and shot-making abilities.

The Rise of Bangladesh’s Pace Attack

Beyond the batting heroics, Soumya Sarkar took the opportunity to shower praise on Bangladesh’s fast bowlers, acknowledging their transformation into genuine match-winners in recent years. “I think we have one of the best pace attacks in the world currently,” Soumya proclaimed, a bold statement that reflects the significant strides made by the Bangladeshi pacers.

He believes that opposing teams will now have to seriously consider Bangladesh’s pace strength, especially on fast, bouncy wickets. “The pace bowlers are giving us a very good time. Spin used to help our winning ratio in the past; now it’s the fast bowlers playing match-winning roles,” he highlighted, drawing a clear contrast with the team’s historical reliance on spin. This evolution marks a pivotal shift in Bangladesh’s cricketing identity.

Soumya underscored the importance of nurturing this talent for the long haul. “We should really take care of these fast bowlers so that they can play for Bangladesh for a long time. They should become role models for the next batch of fast bowlers in the country,” he urged. He also expressed a desire for healthy competition across all departments, leveraging the momentum created by the fast bowlers.

The current crop of pacers, including Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Nahid Rana, are consistently performing at high levels. Shoriful Islam also delivered strong performances in the previous series, further illustrating the depth available in the fast bowling department, even if he didn’t feature against Australia due to combination choices.

A Shift in the Dynamics of the Game

According to Soumya, the tables have truly turned in terms of how opponents approach Bangladesh’s bowling attack. There was a time when Bangladeshi batters had the challenging task of identifying which opposition bowlers to target and which to play cautiously. Now, the roles are reversed.

“Now the opposition are thinking about our bowlers in the same way. They are now getting dismissed due to the pressure. It is such a good feeling,” Soumya revealed, expressing his satisfaction at this significant shift in power dynamics. The presence of multiple potent fast bowlers, with new talents like Rana emerging to maintain pressure even if established stars like Taskin or Mustafizur have an off-day, ensures a relentless attack. This depth and consistent performance make for an incredibly exciting future for Bangladesh cricket, as they continue to challenge and overcome the world’s best.