Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha speaks with Soumya Sarkar during practice in Mirpur on Saturday. Photo: Firoz Ahmed
Bangladesh assistant coach Nic Pothas mentioned that Soumya Sarkar is currently under the team management’s observation as the left-handed batter is trying to make a return to the national squad.
Soumya and a few others outside of the current Bangladesh squad have been called up to the ongoing national camp at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur for the team management to have a closer look at them.
Soumya last donned the Bangladesh jersey when he played against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide. Following a dismal campaign at the World Cup, the 30-year-old was dropped from the squad.
Asked if Soumya, who made his debut in 2014 during head coach Chandika Hathurusingha’s first stint with the national team, looked to be at his best during the training, Pothas said that it was still too early to give an opinion about him.
“I am not sure. I have only seen him at his best on TV a long time ago. For us now, it is an observation period. We want him to relax and play because we know he is very good. But I have only seen him three times at the net under no pressure. And that’s not enough time to have an opinion of him. So, I have to take time and observe him,” Pothas said.
Bangladesh have previously experimented with Soumya at different positions in the batting lineup. However, Pothas informed that they are yet to decide for which position they are considering Soumya.
“He has obviously batted at the top of the order before. But this is a conversation with the head coach we have not had yet. At the moment, it is really the beginning of the observation phase.
“I think he is going to get opportunities to go away with emerging players to play again. But for batters, their currency is runs. What you look like or what we think anyone can do is irrelevant — that just gets you into the system. But the thing that gets you into the team is runs,” Pothas added.
