Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das remains a fitness concern ahead of the opening Test against the West Indies, set for October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Although Litton participated in a net session at the BCB Academy on Sunday, team management remains cautious about his immediate availability.
A member of the selection committee stated that Litton’s participation is currently a 50-50 prospect, noting that it is impossible to confirm his status either way at this stage. Management intends to wait until the final moments before making a decision, acknowledging the player’s importance to the squad. However, a member of the selection panel struck a note of caution.
The underlying issue stems from inflammation in a gluteal muscle tendon in his hip joint, an injury that previously sidelined him during the recent tri-nation ODI series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. While the pain has subsided and the inflammation has reduced, medical staff remain concerned about residual stiffness and limited joint mobility resulting from chronic workload issues. Largely stemming from a chronic workload, it is understood that his body remains stiff due to limited mobility in certain joints.
Because Litton has not yet regained full muscular strength, the BCB medical team opted to cancel a planned fitness assessment on October 24. While the player is currently capable of functional training, team management emphasized that this does not equate to being fully fit. They are now weighing whether to clear him based on minimum physical requirements rather than a 100% recovery status. According to 100% is not really needed, basically, if we can at least cover his minimum requirements, that’s why we might be taking some time,”, Another member of the team management. Suggesting that he had made considerable progress in his recovery, litton batted comfortably in the nets and played some big shots.
The final call will require deliberation between team leaders and senior BCB officials, as there is a significant risk that an early return could trigger a relapse and lead to an extended layoff. Litton is reportedly eager to play, but the team must balance this desire against the risk of further injury. Beyond this home series, Bangladesh is slated for a tour of South Africa beginning November 15, which includes two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. The second Test against the West Indies is scheduled to follow in Sylhet, starting November 5. But we will wait till the end and hope he can recover sufficiently to play the series opener as it’s very important for us,” he said.
