Pallab Bhattachrya
Was Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque's decision to bat first after winning the toss in Kolkata correct?
Although the pitch was good for batting, many felt to bat first was unwise after Bangladesh were blown away for just 106 in their innings on Friday because of the inexperienced batting line-up of the visiting team to play on a wicket that had a splash of grass on it against a fearsome Indian pace bowlers.
But according to Bangladesh head coach, it it is the type of bold decision by Mominul needs to come to the dressing room of Bangladesh.
Conventional cricketing wisdom certainly went with Bangladesh but there was also the perception that an inexperienced batting line-up was left to take on a red-hot fast bowling unit.
Domingo said the Bangladesh batting line-up is short in confidence too and they have a number of issues to deal with, which will take time to get over.
"There's lack of confidence. There's lack of experience against this type of attack week in, week out. It is a bit of mental, technical and confidence.
Batting first after winning the toss by Mominul was also questioned in the first Test in Indore but Domingo said doing anything other than putting runs on the board would have been a negative approach.
“It was not a 30-over all out wicket. There's no doubt that we didn't bat well enough. Obviously, it was a terrible day for us but I really think it is important to understand that Bangladesh are not just here to serve up balls for India," he said at the end-of-day press conference on Friday.
"I know everyone was hoping Bangladesh can bowl first so India can get 400-450. But that's not why we were here. We think the best way to win a Test match in India is to bat first. Ninety-nine per cent of the time you bat first in the sub-continent on a good wicket. We have no qualms with the decision to bat first," he said.
Domingo said when Bangladesh won the first T20 in Delhi, “our dugout was calm and no one was jumping up and down. It is a conscious thing we are doing by not being surprised when beating India. It has to become something that we expect to do.
“When you win the toss in India, it doesn't mean we will bowl first because we are scared of getting bowled out. We are trying to make those brave decisions that will benefit us in the long run. There's going to be some hurt and disappointment now, but hopefully we can continue making those brave decisions and it will ultimately help us," the head coach added.
Domingo said Bangladesh “are a long way behind in Tests. Virat Kohli has 26 Test hundreds while our whole team has 16 or 17. We have to address that.”
Domingo said the big gap in experience and performance between the two sides is making a big difference in this Test series.
Domingo said no matter how well Bangladesh were prepared for the pink ball, that gap would not have shortened in a week.
"I wouldn't say we were underprepared for the pink ball. India had similar time to train. There's a big difference between the two sides, regardless of six or seven days of preparation for the pink ball,” he said. Ends
