Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar are often described by cricket enthusiasts, teammates, coaches, and media in Bangladesh as either mesmerizing or maddening with the bat. Their performance in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Chattogram was a testament to this. Litton was dismissed early without scoring, marking a concerning trend in his recent form. On the other hand, Soumya's impressive 68 runs showcased his skillful batting through a variety of elegant shots, although his dismissal was a letdown given his promising start.
Soumya's innings brought him to a milestone of 2,000 ODI runs, the fastest among Bangladeshi players, albeit over a decade. This reflects the sporadic brilliance of his career, shining intermittently. His resurgence in form, highlighted by a career-high score against New Zealand, contrasts with his inconsistent performances in domestic leagues.
Litton's struggles are more pronounced, with a significant slump in form since his peak in 2022. His dismissals, often within the 30-yard circle, suggest a lack of commitment to aggressive shots. This hesitancy has led to a series of catches behind the wicket and in the outfield, undermining his once formidable confidence. Soumya has always struggled for consistency. Even so, selectors and team managements have always believed that he had potential, so they kept bringing him back time and again. In different formats, in different roles, in different batting positions.
The contrast between Litton's current woes and Soumya's resurgence is stark. Soumya's return to form coincided with coach Chandika Hathurusinghe's second tenure, under whom Soumya had previously flourished. Despite his inconsistency, Soumya's potential has kept the selectors' faith, leading to his record-breaking overseas ODI score.
Soumya's 169 is Bangladesh's highest individual score in an overseas ODI. It was a magnificent effort in conditions where the side has often struggled. Soumya struck 22 fours and two sixes, while the rest of the side could muster 122 runs between them. Bangladesh lost the game but Soumya's talent, after nine years, was vindicated.
As Litton faces a potential crossroads in his career, the question arises whether a break might be beneficial for him, especially with other openers waiting in the wings. The future of both players remains a topic of keen interest for Bangladeshi cricket.
