Soumya eyes to overcome bad patch
Sports Reporter, Khulna
At some point of the career, the hardships and disappointments certainly lie in wait for any international batsman. Soumya Sarkar was no exception. After going through a tremendous year in cricket, the elegant left-hand batsman now experiences the other side of the coin with many loopholes of his batting coming to the fore. The honeymoon period is over.
He caught the attention because of fearless batting. His ability to pick gaps and clear the infield with ease makes him an effective opener after beginning the career as one down batsman. The stylish batsman is also effective against spinners and doesnt let them settle down. Batsmen from subcontinent arent really known for their skills against short-pitched stuff and Bangladeshi batsmen have struggled the most. Soumya has broken the myth with his quick reflexes and his good habit to watch the ball till the end. His upper cut to Kyle Abbott in the 19th over of the third ODI evoked the memories of the great Sachin Tendulkar.
His audacious batting is key in shedding off Bangladeshs derogatory tag minnows. After scripting Bangladeshs victory against South Africa with two consecutive flamboyant fifties, Soumya missed the series against Zimbabwe because of injury. He came in BPL-3 but runs flow began to dry from that on. In an experimental series against Zimbabwe, he started with nine and then made 43 in the second match. But his inability to rotate the scoreboard with singles and doubles was criticised much. 34 runs of his 43 off 33 came via boundaries and over-boundaries.
Of Bangladeshs 167 runs in the second match, 69 came in singles and twos while they scored 92 off boundaries. The opening partnership of Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar played out 18 dot balls and took eight singles in their 45-run stand that ended in 5.5 overs; they could not score off nearly half the balls they played in that stand. While there was problem in picking up the singles and doubles, none of the top order also could convert the start. Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza however identified those two problemspicking up singles and failure to convert the start as their main obstacle to be successful in this format.
Picking singles and doubles alongside boundaries and converting the start are considered as prelude to the success in T20 cricket. As an opener, Soumya and Tamim Iqbal need to tick those boxes successfully. But while Tamim has lately found the way to play big knock, Soumya still has lack in this arena.
There is always a sense of regret. I dont know if I feel bad at the moment, but in the future when I look back I might feel a bad. So up ahead whenever I get time I will try to fulfill that, said Soumya, adding that he also tries to hone the skill of rotating the scoreboard with smart singles.
Because, in one over, if there is a four, its good if theres a single. In the last match I managed to take less number of singles. The total dot balls were a bit too much. I will try to cover up.
It is said when any player go through a poor run of form after a successful stint, he could come back with more vigor. According to Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Soumya just needs a big score to bring back his usual-self. The score in the second match showed he is back on groove. Mashrafe summed up, the slight brush up in techniques and the runs would definitely make the swashbuckling left-hander a player to be watched out for in the days to come.
