Litton Das may be short on runs, but he has the backing of Bangladesh’s senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin as he takes full charge of the national T20I side.
Despite a worrying dip in form — Litton hasn’t scored a fifty in ODIs since the 2023 ICC World Cup — the right-hander impressed many with his leadership during Bangladesh’s 3-0 T20I series sweep in the West Indies last year. That success played a key role in the board officially naming him T20I captain.
However, concerns remain about whether Litton can shoulder the dual burden of form and captaincy, especially when past inconsistencies and temperament issues have previously kept him away from leadership roles.
“It’s important to understand that captaining Bangladesh is like captaining an entire nation,” Salahuddin told reporters. “It’s one of the toughest jobs in the country. The captain needs full support — without it, it’s impossible to succeed.”
Known for his calm exterior, Litton has occasionally reacted sharply in the media. But Salahuddin believes there’s been a significant shift in his personality since taking up the captaincy.
“The Litton I saw last series was unrecognisable from before. He speaks differently now, more maturely. Captaincy has clearly made him take more responsibility,” said the coach.
Still, Salahuddin was quick to point out that success as captain depends on more than just tactics. “He reads the game well, knows where to place fielders, understands bowlers’ strengths — he’s a good tactician,” Salahuddin said. “But his biggest weakness right now is the lack of runs. That has to change.”
The coach also referenced former T20I skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s struggles with authority, stressing that Litton must be given full control to implement his vision.
“If you don’t let a captain run the team his way, then what’s the point of appointing him? Once chosen, he must be given the freedom to lead,” he emphasised.
Finally, Salahuddin noted the mental resilience needed for the job: “Captaincy brings fame, but also criticism. Litton must learn to deal with both if he wants to succeed.”