The first match of the highly anticipated two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh took place in Chennai, where Team India showcased a dominating performance, winning by a staggering 280 runs. With this victory, India took a 1-0 lead in the series. However, the spotlight during the match was undoubtedly on Bangladesh’s seasoned all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who drew attention for an unusual reason—his unique batting style, which involved the use of a black thread.
Shakib Al Hasan’s Black Thread Trick
As the Chennai Test unfolded, numerous photos and videos of Shakib went viral on social media, capturing the interest of commentators and fans alike. Many were curious and even bewildered as they observed him chewing a black thread while at the crease. This unconventional practice serves a significant purpose; Shakib utilizes the thread to enhance his batting technique. The black thread helps him maintain a straight posture, preventing his head from tilting towards the leg side, which allows him to execute straight shots more effectively. Interestingly, this is not the first time Shakib has resorted to unusual methods during a match; he was previously seen chewing on his jersey in the Global T20 Canada League.
Bizarre tactic by Shakib, chews something in mouth while batting in Chennai Test
— TEAM 3 MEDIANS (@3Medians50276) September 20, 2024
Shakib’s Performance in the Chennai Test
Despite the intriguing black thread tactic, Shakib Al Hasan had a disappointing outing in the Chennai Test. He failed to make a significant impact with either bat or ball. In his bowling stint, he managed to bowl just 8 overs in the first innings without claiming a wicket and contributed only 32 runs to the total. In the second innings, his performance dropped further; he bowled 13 overs but again went wicketless, while managing to score only 25 runs.
Shakib’s underwhelming performance can, in part, be attributed to an injury. During the match, former Indian spinner Murali Kartik revealed on air that Shakib had been dealing with a finger injury on his left hand—the hand he uses for spin bowling—as well as shoulder issues. Kartik mentioned that Shakib had undergone surgery on his bowling finger, which had become swollen and restricted his movement. This impairment made it particularly challenging for him to bowl effectively in a Test match, where precision and skill are paramount.
As the series continues, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see if Shakib can rebound from this setback and leverage his distinctive techniques in upcoming matches. The combination of his experience and unconventional methods could prove crucial for Bangladesh’s performance in the remainder of the series.
