Seeking the Kohli attitude

The standout deficiencies of the Bangladesh team since the tour of South Africa in September-October last year are their attitude and the tendency to panic in crunch situations.

According to stand-in captain Mahmudullah Riyad, Bangladesh's sub-par performances in the last six months is not about technique or lack of execution in skill, but about mental strength and killer instinct and rediscovering those attributes can turn the tide for the demoralised Tigers.

After disappointing home series over the first two months of the year, Bangladesh will look to regroup for their first game of the Nidahas Trophy today against India, who lost the tournament opener against a spirited Sri Lanka by five wickets on Tuesday.

“You may have witnessed the attitude of the Sri Lankan players the other day against India or even in Bangladesh during the series where they looked pumped up and embodied an attitude that changed the mindset of a team that was struggling in international cricket not so long ago,” Mahmudullah told The Daily Star while walking towards the dressing room after the training session at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

When asked whether the juniors will have to take responsibility alongside the seniors, Mahmudullah placed emphasis on team effort and informed that it is not only about juniors or seniors but instead the collective effort of all players that will bring positive results.

“If you look at Virat Kohli you will get the feeling from his attitude that he is going to score a century in every game. Even if he is not able to score a hundred you will still see the confidence in him... that's what we are expecting from all the players, not only from the juniors but from all members of the team. When you have such a mindset nothing seems to panic you and you will be able to overcome any hurdle,” he added.

Bangladesh have managed to win just one game in their last 10 encounters in the shortest format of the game and when asked whether the Nidahas Trophy will be yet another tough series for the Tigers, the normally calm Mahmudullah had a glint in his eye as he said: “You won't be able to win if you are afraid of losing.”