I won't change my style: Shakib

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh with a brilliant 82 on the third day of the one-off Test against India, but the shot that led to his dismissal raised questions in the mind of many.

Throughout the New Zealand tour last month, the left-hander looked to be setting himself up for a big innings before a rash shot has cost him his wicket. Even before that, there was the ill-advised shot against England which sped up Bangladesh’s loss in the first Test at Chittagong.

Today was no different. Shakib had been put under tremendous pressure by the bowling of India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and he lashed out by coming down the track and attempting to hit one over the fielders. Unfortunately for the southpaw, he hit it straight to the fielder.

However, Shakib, speaking after the match, defended himself by saying that this was the way he plays and he would not change his style as he would lose his essence if he did so.

"I don't think along those lines. What I think is I must try to contribute to the team. I was not happy even when I got my 217 because I felt I had to contribute more to my team.

"I know that's not going to happen, but just for that I won't change my style of play. If I change it, then I wouldn't be Shakib. So that's the way of my thinking."

Shakib also described Umesh Yadav's spell as one of the best he has ever faced but asserted that he had been dismissed while playing his game. 

“He [Yadav] was bowling really well; probably the best spell I faced in my career. It was tremendous the way he was moving the ball both ways, all credit goes to him,” Shakib said.

“I was thinking I need to be positive at that time. If there was a ball to hit, I would obviously hit it and the rest I would play with soft hands, and make sure that I didn’t nick it.”

“If you look at my innings, I was always playing shots. That one I didn’t connect well and that’s all I can say. Other than that I think it was very positive the way I was batting I didn’t want to change my innings. I was playing the way I have been playing for the last five six years.”

However, Shakib did admit that it would have been helpful for his team -- who are currently six wickets down with a 365-run defecit -- if he had stuck around to take the innings further.

“Actually, I don’t think about so many things when I go to bat.  If I wouldn’t have been out I would have scored a hundred and it would have been good if I could have batted for a longer period for my team.”

Shakib also believes that Bangladesh have coped well with the Indian bowlers while also observing that the pitch is not a traditional Indian track.

“No, I think the wicket is still really good on the third day, we have seen that the ball turns and helps the spinners in India but that is not happening and pace, apart from that one spell, that unplayable spell, we managed to cope with. As of now the wicket is good, but tomorrow is a new day, let’s see what happens.”