Bangladesh need more exposure-Kohli

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Bangladesh need more exposure-Kohli

Z.Ahmed

24 Nov 19 20:39:01

Image : BCCI

||CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh needs to play regular Test cricket if they want to improve in the format, said Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Sunday.

Bangladeshi batsmen survived only 47 minutes of the third day’s play before they conceded an innings and 46-run defeat against India in the second and final Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

Bangladesh, who resumed their overnight score on 152-6, could add 43 runs in 8.4 overs and were bundled out for 195 runs in their second innings to suffer a 2-0 series defeat against the host side.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who was unbeaten on 59 overnight, made 74 off 96 balls before he was caught by Ravindra Jadeja off Umesh Yadav.

Umesh earlier dismissed Ebadot Hossain for duck while he also removed Al-Amin Hossain (21) as the last batsmen to pick all three wickets on day three and finished with 5-53.

Mahmudullah, who was retired hurt on 39, didn’t come to bat on the third day.

Pacer Ishant Sharma finished with 4-56 in the second innings to return with a match figure of 9-78.
The victory against Bangladesh was India’s seventh successive Test win and they became the first team to win four consecutive Tests by innings margin. This was also India’s 12th successive Test series win at their home.

Kohli insisted that they tourist were missing two key players- Shakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal- in the series and added that others need to have regular exposure to understand that nitty-gritty of Test cricket.

Shakib missed the series as he received two years ban by ICC for failing to report corrupt approaches while Tamim missed it as he preferred to be with his wife who delivered a child last week.

‘’They did not have two key players[ Shakib and Tamim]. They have the skill set that's why they are playing international cricket. If they play more Tests, you get more experience,’’ Kohli told reporters at the post match press conference.

‘’If you play two Tests then again play after a year and a half, then you won't understand how to figure out situations and play under pressure. Match situations are needed regularly,’’ he said.

Kohli added that financial security to Test cricketers can be a way out for Bangladeshi cricketers.

‘’I don't know what the issues in Bangladesh around test cricket. Eventually strength of Test cricket should come from financial structure. If you don't keep Test cricketers in good financial condition, their motivation keeps going down. If a player playing for 20 overs and bowling just four overs is earning ten times more than you, then eventually this is your livelihood. You will not see the logic after five years and want to only play T20s,’’ said Kohli.

‘’This can only be corrected through a central contract. See the traditional countries like Australia, England and New Zealand. They have so strong because their contract structure starts from test cricket. We have made similar changes and now Test cricketers feel they have a secured future too,’’ he added.