'The players are learning not to be afraid'
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha wants individuals to take responsibility for themselves but will make a forceful point when he needs to
Mohammad Isam
31-Oct-2016
"This group is still learning. They have a long way to go" • BCB
A lot of Bangladesh's success in the last two years has been attributed to the hard work put in by head coach Chandika Hathurusingha. After their most notable Test victory, he sat down with ESPNcricinfo at the fortified Radisson hotel to chat about the teatime pep talk on the third day of the Dhaka Test, which changed the body language of the Bangladesh team. He also spoke about Bangladesh's infamous batting collapses, and of how he wants youngsters like Mehedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed to deal with heightened expectations.
How does the morning after a big Test win look for you?
The reaction is more than what I expected, and not just in Bangladesh, but from the world over. It is beginning to sink in what a big achievement it is.
The reaction is more than what I expected, and not just in Bangladesh, but from the world over. It is beginning to sink in what a big achievement it is.
How Bangladeshi do you feel right now?
I am very proud of the players, the board and fans. I think they waited a long time for this, after the Test status. I can see what it means for them as well. I am proud to be part of it.
I am very proud of the players, the board and fans. I think they waited a long time for this, after the Test status. I can see what it means for them as well. I am proud to be part of it.
How difficult was it to translate the ODI success into the Test arena, particularly after the gap of 14 months?
The challenge wasn't much ability-wise. It was about mentally preparing for Test cricket. We had to believe ourselves that we can compete and trust the game plan. The biggest challenge was not to be afraid of losing, and think about winning. We all believed that if we are not afraid to lose, we can achieve bigger things. All credit to the boys again, to believe in that as a group. If you notice lately, the team is not afraid to try things hoping for a better result.
The challenge wasn't much ability-wise. It was about mentally preparing for Test cricket. We had to believe ourselves that we can compete and trust the game plan. The biggest challenge was not to be afraid of losing, and think about winning. We all believed that if we are not afraid to lose, we can achieve bigger things. All credit to the boys again, to believe in that as a group. If you notice lately, the team is not afraid to try things hoping for a better result.
What are the major changes between your first Test series - West Indies 2014 - and this Test series?
One day I was watching those matches as they were showing reruns on TV, and I was surprised how much we have changed in every area of the game. Unfortunately I saw Shafiul [Islam] running away from the ball. I don't mean to use him as an example, but this just sums up their change in attitude, and how they are no longer afraid of anything. Their demeanour has changed. Now they prepare and play to win. People have short memories, so if you watch those videos you can see how far they have come.
One day I was watching those matches as they were showing reruns on TV, and I was surprised how much we have changed in every area of the game. Unfortunately I saw Shafiul [Islam] running away from the ball. I don't mean to use him as an example, but this just sums up their change in attitude, and how they are no longer afraid of anything. Their demeanour has changed. Now they prepare and play to win. People have short memories, so if you watch those videos you can see how far they have come.
How did the belief come about?
Belief comes with results. It is harder at the start but one success brings another success. If someone's there to challenge the way you are doing things, you will always get better. If you're happy to stay where you were, you will never achieve things. Your success can't only be quantified by winning, there's a lot of other things.
Belief comes with results. It is harder at the start but one success brings another success. If someone's there to challenge the way you are doing things, you will always get better. If you're happy to stay where you were, you will never achieve things. Your success can't only be quantified by winning, there's a lot of other things.
How much hands-on coaching do you have to do in the Bangladesh team?
This group is still learning. They have a long way to go. Otherwise we would have had more success. I hope that after this win they will have better memories, if they get into such winning positions in the future, to do it on their own. They can find the ways on their own in the middle. There's a lot of idea-sharing and making sure we create the environment in which they get challenged.
This group is still learning. They have a long way to go. Otherwise we would have had more success. I hope that after this win they will have better memories, if they get into such winning positions in the future, to do it on their own. They can find the ways on their own in the middle. There's a lot of idea-sharing and making sure we create the environment in which they get challenged.
When was the first time the idea of playing on these wickets came up in your planning? Who came up with the plan?
It was everyone's idea. The players have to believe and come up with the plans as well. They have to change their ways of training and mental ability to handle situations, because the players are under pressure, not us. They also came up with those plans, not only us. Once the players start to believe, and embrace the idea, the job is much easier because they will do it.
It was everyone's idea. The players have to believe and come up with the plans as well. They have to change their ways of training and mental ability to handle situations, because the players are under pressure, not us. They also came up with those plans, not only us. Once the players start to believe, and embrace the idea, the job is much easier because they will do it.
But is there a way to explain what goes on during a batting collapse?
I think it has a lot to do with what goes on between their ears. We don't see it coming. In this series it was a challenge for everyone because of the pitches. Once that comes into your head, you are in a difficult place. All the training and experience you have goes out of the window once you press that panic button.
I think it has a lot to do with what goes on between their ears. We don't see it coming. In this series it was a challenge for everyone because of the pitches. Once that comes into your head, you are in a difficult place. All the training and experience you have goes out of the window once you press that panic button.
The other challenge is that when you haven't won many Tests and you are nearing one [victory], so many ideas come into you. So many people talk to you. We are not bulletproof. It takes a long time, many occasions you face such a situation, and then you come on top. I say, "your computer is full of ideas", so you find your own solution rather than listening to someone else.
You think that game in Bangalore can now be forgotten?
If you try to forget, you lose the sight of what you're trying to achieve. You must not forget that game. The players have to learn from it. If they forget, they are losing sight of what they have in front of them.
If you try to forget, you lose the sight of what you're trying to achieve. You must not forget that game. The players have to learn from it. If they forget, they are losing sight of what they have in front of them.
What goes through your mind when you see Shakib or Mahmudullah playing the kind of shots they played to get out in the first and second Tests?
They are human beings. They can make mistakes. The quicker they learn, the better for their careers.
They are human beings. They can make mistakes. The quicker they learn, the better for their careers.
How much do they learn actually, especially the senior players?
What is the important thing in that situation? If you define that, you can find your own answer.
What is the important thing in that situation? If you define that, you can find your own answer.
How do you deal with these things when you see a senior player doing such a thing?
The best way to deal with this is for them to realise it. I am always open for them to come and ask me. That's where the learning starts. Not if I start chasing after them and shouting at them.
The best way to deal with this is for them to realise it. I am always open for them to come and ask me. That's where the learning starts. Not if I start chasing after them and shouting at them.
Are you getting what you want from the players?
I got a lot of support from the players who are open for ideas. I got lot of support from the board members, which is all you want. You don't need everyone to like you. In that way, you're pleasing people. The more people criticise you, it means you are challenging what is happening. Results on top of that give you a positive sign.
I got a lot of support from the players who are open for ideas. I got lot of support from the board members, which is all you want. You don't need everyone to like you. In that way, you're pleasing people. The more people criticise you, it means you are challenging what is happening. Results on top of that give you a positive sign.
Do you realise that you have challenged many things in Bangladesh cricket?
I know. My career has been like that. I have never been afraid of standing up for what is right. Whether I lose or not, it is all about not being afraid of trying things.
I know. My career has been like that. I have never been afraid of standing up for what is right. Whether I lose or not, it is all about not being afraid of trying things.
When you see young guys like Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan, who have started so well in their international careers, what message do you have for them?
It is a bigger challenge in the subcontinent because this game is more than just a game. It is a huge burden of expectation on a young man to suddenly come from nowhere to stardom. The best thing you need is good people around you to keep your feet on the ground, and to support you and give you proper advice.
It is a bigger challenge in the subcontinent because this game is more than just a game. It is a huge burden of expectation on a young man to suddenly come from nowhere to stardom. The best thing you need is good people around you to keep your feet on the ground, and to support you and give you proper advice.
I had a chat with Mehedi after the game. I told him the first thing you do is celebrate the success with the team-mates. He is a good kid, so he understood the message I was giving him. I hope they will handle it well.
How do you look forward to the big challenge of a number of Tests next year being played abroad?
I don't see it that way. Every day is a challenge, so it is regardless of whether we are playing abroad. We need to come up with a plan that we can believe in. I am happy with executing the plan, regardless of the result.
I don't see it that way. Every day is a challenge, so it is regardless of whether we are playing abroad. We need to come up with a plan that we can believe in. I am happy with executing the plan, regardless of the result.
Do you think there can be a way to keep Test specialists like Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam in touch with international cricket?
Yes. A-team tours. If I have failed to highlight that [lack of A-team tours], I don't think I am doing my job.
Yes. A-team tours. If I have failed to highlight that [lack of A-team tours], I don't think I am doing my job.
Everyone is talking about the teatime talk and how Tamim Iqbal was taking charge of the field after the tea break.
The best thing I can tell you is that the big players stood up. I was disappointed and upset that we were nearly wasting another opportunity we had in our hands. I had a chat with the boys. I challenged them to stand up. I told them that this opportunity will never come again. I am glad that a few people stood up and decided to do something different.
The best thing I can tell you is that the big players stood up. I was disappointed and upset that we were nearly wasting another opportunity we had in our hands. I had a chat with the boys. I challenged them to stand up. I told them that this opportunity will never come again. I am glad that a few people stood up and decided to do something different.
What does Hathurusingha do when he gets angry?
I think I have kicked only two things in the two and a half years (laughs). I am just joking. I can't get angry as a head coach. I have to be the filter between the players and the ideas. At the same time we have to get the message across.
I think I have kicked only two things in the two and a half years (laughs). I am just joking. I can't get angry as a head coach. I have to be the filter between the players and the ideas. At the same time we have to get the message across.
Are you going through the best phase of your coaching career?
I always expect to do better in the future. I am enjoying the job.
I always expect to do better in the future. I am enjoying the job.
What makes you more proud - the result or their overall improvement?
The improvement. How they take ownership of their success and failure makes me more proud.
The improvement. How they take ownership of their success and failure makes me more proud.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84