Every cricketing nation has its watershed moment - a defining period when mediocrity gives way to ambition. For Bangladesh, the years between 2014 and 2017, under the stewardship of Chandika Hathurusingha, represent such a chapter. His tenure redefined the team's philosophy, instilling discipline and pragmatism, and recalibrated the nation's cricketing trajectory. What Hathurusingha achieved was not merely a string of victories; it was the construction of a cricketing identity that exuded boldness, clarity, and adaptability.
Chandika Hathurusingha in 2014, Bangladesh cricket remained a tale of unfulfilled potential.
The national team oscillated between occasional brilliance and prolonged mediocrity. Neither their style of play nor their results reflected any sense of consistency or ambition. However, Hathurusingha’s appointment marked the beginning of a dramatic transformation that rewrote the narrative of Bangladesh cricket. Within months, the team adopted a fearless approach, abandoning outdated strategies in favour of a more modern and aggressive style. This bold shift led to unprecedented success across formats, elevating Bangladesh into a force to be reckoned with.
Rewriting the Script:
The Shift from Spin to Pace
Before Hathurusingha’s arrival, Bangladesh cricket was
trapped in a tactical rut, overly dependent on spinners and the home advantage.
This mindset was a reflection of insecurity - a reluctance to embrace change.
Hathurusingha disrupted this inertia by prioritizing pace bowling. Under his
guidance, the team’s fast-bowling unit - led by Mashrafe Mortaza and comprising
the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, and Al-Amin Hossain - evolved from
mere support acts into match-winners.
This was a seismic shift. Pace bowling demanded better fitness, deeper analysis, and sharper execution, traits the team had previously lacked. The transformation was gradual but unmistakable: Bangladesh began to win not just on familiar, spinning tracks but in conditions where seam movement and bounce dictated terms and formats, elevating Bangladesh into a force to be reckoned with.
Statistical Resurgence: The ODI
Renaissance
Before Hathurusingha’s arrival, Bangladesh’s ODI win-loss ratio was a dismal 0.4, and excluding matches against lower-ranked sides, their record against top-tier nations was even bleaker - 27 wins in 191 matches, with a ratio of just 0.16. Hathurusingha, however, transformed this dynamic almost overnight. During his tenure, Bangladesh won 25 of 52 ODIs, improving their win-loss ratio to 1.086.
Key milestones during this period included their quarterfinal appearance at the 2015 World Cup, where Bangladesh famously knocked England out of the tournament. They followed this success by defeating powerhouses like India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Afghanistan at home, and nearly upstaged England in a thrilling series in 2016. Their journey to the semifinals of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy cemented Bangladesh’s status as a serious competitor in the 50-over format.
Redefining Test Cricket:
A New Era
Test cricket, long considered Bangladesh’s Achilles’ heel, witnessed a quiet revolution under Hathurusingha. Until his appointment, Bangladesh had managed to win just 4 of 83 Tests, with a win-loss ratio of 0.058. However, during his tenure, they won 6 out of 21 matches and drew 4, lifting their ratio to 0.545.
Their most notable victories came at home: Bangladesh defeated England in 2016 and followed it up with a historic win against Australia in 2017. In an inspiring away performance, the team also held Sri Lanka to a series draw in 2017, further establishing that they were no longer pushovers in the longest format.
Individual Growth: The Rise of Bangladesh’s
Stars
Hathurusingha’s influence was not limited to collective achievements; it also spurred individual players to reach their potential. Tamim Iqbal was among the first to flourish under his guidance. From being inconsistent and heavily criticized, Tamim evolved into a dependable opener. Between 2015 and 2017, his ODI average surged from 26 to 46.38, 45.22, and 64.60 in successive years. His Test average, too, climbed from 37.29 in 2014 to over 50.
Similarly, Mushfiqur Rahim grew into a formidable Test player. Before Hathurusingha’s tenure, Mushfiqur averaged 33.48 in Tests. That figure rose to 40.69 in 20 matches under Hathurusingha, as he recorded three centuries, including one in South Africa - the first by any Bangladeshi batsman in that region. His ODI numbers also improved significantly, with three hundreds across 50 matches.
Mahmudullah Riyad, another key player, credited Hathurusingha for his transformation from a lower-order all-rounder into a reliable middle-order batsman. "He gave me the confidence to bat higher up the order," Mahmudullah remarked. "The freedom he provided us allowed me to discover my potential as a middle-order player." This newfound confidence saw Mahmudullah play career-defining knocks in the 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy, turning him into one of Bangladesh’s most dependable batsmen.
Harnessing the Power
of Youth
Hathurusingha’s tenure also heralded the rise of a new generation of players. Under his leadership, Mustafizur Rahman burst onto the international stage, bamboozling batsmen with his unorthodox cutters. Meanwhile, the flair of Soumya Sarkar, the composure of Liton Das, and the all-around brilliance of Mehidy Hasan Miraz infused the team with youthful exuberance and depth.
Crucially, Hathurusingha dismantled the old mindset of relying on ageing players past their prime, making way for fresh talent. This blend of youth and experience proved vital in Bangladesh’s resurgence across formats.
Chandika Hathurusingha’s stint from 2014 to 2017 was not
merely a successful chapter in Bangladesh cricket - it was a blueprint for
transformation. He redefined the team’s approach, empowered individuals, and
fostered a culture of discipline and professionalism. His tenure underscored
that cricket is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and that success
lies in clarity of thought, trust in youth, and the courage to evolve.
The Hathurusingha era proved that Bangladesh can stand tall
among cricket’s elite - not by imitating others but by crafting their own
identity. His return now holds the promise of unfinished business - a chance to
consolidate the gains made during his first tenure and build a team that not
only competes but wins on the biggest stages.
For Bangladesh cricket, the lessons from Hathurusingha’s reign are clear: bold decisions, relentless professionalism, and an unwavering belief in the process will pave the way for sustained excellence. The story of Bangladesh’s transformation under Hathurusingha is not just one of victory—it is a testament to the power of change, both on the field and within.
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