Reports: Rony Talukdar to be roped in squad, Litton Das to lead after Tamim Iqbal’s exit amid Afghanistan series

Litton Das. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh regular skipper Tamim Iqbal’s sudden retirement has shocked the squad as the team is set to play the second ODI of the three games series against Afghanistan. A top Bangladesh Cricket  Board (BCB) has revealed the changes that will take place in the squad. Bangladesh’s star wicketkeeper, Litton Das is set to replace Tamim as the skipper of the side, whereas Rony Talukdar will be included for the remaining two games as the third opener.

While the home side lost the first ODI against Afghanistan’s side by 17 runs (DLS method), their regular skipper and star opener Tamim’s sudden exit has left the team in more dusk. The left-handed batter was leading the side for two and a half years and was in the international circuit for the last 16 years.

“Rony (Talukdar) will be drafted in the squad as we need to have another opener in the squad considering there is no Tamim Iqbal for us,” Cricbuzz quoted a BCB official. He also added that Litton Kumar Das is expected to lead the side while a new captain will be announced soon with Shakib al Hasan being the top runner for the post.

It is pertinent to mention that Talukdar made his 50-over format debut in the home series against Ireland. In the one ODI he played, the 32-year-old went out cheaply. The right-handed batter performed well in T20I for the Asian side as in seven games, he scored 200 runs with a strike rate of above 139.

New challenges await Litton Das after Tamim Iqbal’s retirement-

But as the Bangla Tigers are without their regular skipper, it will be hard to beat Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side in the presence of their star spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi without their most experienced batter. Das was the deputy of Tamim since 2022 and has also captained the side in his absence in the past. Now, it will be interesting how he will lead the side after trailing behind 0-1. Bangladesh vs Afghanistan’s second ODI starts on Saturday, July 8 at Chattogram.