Soumya Sarkar speaks about converting to batting left-handed and new Bangladesh team spirit

Soumya Sarkar bats during the Test series against India in June

Prodigiously talented Bangladesh batsman Soumya Sarkar spoke about his cricketing influences, the new spirit in the Bangladeshi dressing room, and why he changed from being a right-handed batsman to being the classy left-hander that he is.

The Daily Star reports that Sarkar said, “The batsmen who I have followed are Sourav Ganguly and Brian Lara. When I started playing cricket I used to be a right-handed batsman. It was only after watching them play those drives that I decided to become a left-hander.

“If you notice, I still prefer throwing the ball with my right hand. I even bowl with my right hand.”

Favourite current cricketers, difficult bowlers

Relating how he used to avoid playing cricket during childhood because it would involve long periods away from home, the 22-year-old Sarkar said, “Since the World Cup, I have not been as homesick as I previously was. I think this is because of the relationship in the dressing room. We are all very intimate and very, very close. And it may be one of the reasons behind our team's success.

Mustafizur [Rahman] and I are from the same area, so we may spend more time together. I don't think that I am old enough or experienced enough to pass judgment on any player, but his simplicity is extraordinary.

Out of all the bowlers I have faced so far, [Trent] Boult was the most difficult. But the more challenging things get, the more I enjoy.”

Asserting that he wants to become a Bangladesh great by being a sizeable presence for the next decade, Sarkar laid out his career goals:

“Mashrafe bhai [Bin Mortaza] predicted that I would score 10,000 runs before ending my career. I believe that is possible if I play consistently for 10-12 years in the national side.

“Like Mashrafe bhai, I also believe that besides being a good cricketer, you have to be a good soul. I really admire fighting spirit in people. That's why my favourite players are Shakib bhai [Al Hasan] and Yuvraj Singh.”