SL vs BAN 2025: Litton Das' confidence is low, but we are backing him: Phil Simmons

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons acknowledged that T20I captain Litton Kumar Das is currently short on confidence, and the team is making an effort to help him regain his form ahead of the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Sunday, July 13. Sri Lanka currently have a lead in the three-match series with 1-0, having won the opening encounter comfortably by a seven-wicket margin.

Litton has been going through a rough patch, failing to score a half-century in his last 17 international innings across both ODIs and T20Is. His last fifty in limited-overs cricket came back in June 2024. He was dropped from the ODI XI after a first-ball duck in the opening match of that series, and could only manage six runs in the first T20I.

“I think his confidence is a bit low. We know what he can produce. We are working hard to get him to that stage. Hopefully he can get there in the next match,” Simmons said ahead of the upcoming clash, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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Simmons stated that a final decision on Jaker Ali, who missed the first T20I due to a quad injury, would be made closer to the second match. Although Jaker was reportedly keen to play and could have featured in the XI had he been cleared to keep wickets, the team management opted not to take that risk. He also defended the decision to go with four openers in the first match, suggesting it was a strategic move based on team needs and conditions.

“Jaker got injured before the third ODI. We are going to see how he is tonight, and make a decision on his position tomorrow. We will see what's happening here tonight. We will see the wicket and make the decision, whether we want to go with the same team or change up things,” the former cricketer further added.

“People have to look at what's happening. Jaker was injured, so who else are we going to play there? One of the bowlers? People have to be realistic. We had to play a batter (in Jaker's place). Adaptation is a big thing in this format. Players have to adapt. In this format, openers sometimes play at number five or six. The next plan is to do better at the stuff that we weren't good enough at in the last game. We have to get more runs and bowl better in the first six (overs). We need to improve with certain things at certain levels to be competitive with them. That's what we are looking to do,” he added.

Our fielding improved with consistent repetition: Chandana

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka fielding coach Upul Chandana acknowledged that the team’s sharp performances in the field are a result of consistent repetition and focused practice. He noted that Sri Lanka’s fielding has been outstanding throughout the series, adding extra pressure on the Bangladesh side.

“If you take from 2023, we have to improve fielding. We analysed and realised that we had to work on a few areas - like we worked on our fitness, and we increased repetition. Confidence is the key. We do a lot of repetitions and players are confident that they can do things now. They hang in the game till the last moment,” he said.

“If we used to spend 20 minutes on fielding before, now we spend about 40 minutes on fielding. Our biggest challenge was getting the best out of our fast bowlers. They worked really hard. That has been a big boost for the team. They are putting their full energy and focus on fielding and that's one reason why we have done well in fielding,” the fielding coach added.

Chandana finds progression in Lanka as a team

Chandana noted the team's improvement in fielding, crediting players’ commitment and attitude. He added that fielding allows everyone to contribute and brings satisfaction. He also emphasized not taking the opposition lightly despite their recent win at Pallekele.

“We have a lot of good fielders. We are progressing as a team. We are in a better position than where we were. That was because of the player's commitment. Fielding is all about attitude. Bowlers can go for runs. Batters can be dismissed for a low score. But fielding, everyone can contribute. We have told them that this is a challenge and that needs to be enjoyed. At the end of the game, players can feel good if they have fielded well, and they are all giving their best,” he expressed.

“We had a good game at Pallekele. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were awesome for us. They gave us a solid start. As a team, we had a good game across all three disciplines, and we are geared up to go ahead of tomorrow's game. They are a good side, and we expect them to fight hard to level the series. We are trying to play better than how we played the last game,” the former Sri Lanka international concluded.