'It was quite tough mentally' – Towhid Hridoy on his return from tennis elbow injury

Towhid Hridoy made an impressive return to cricket in the recently-concluded white-ball series against New Zealand. In the three ODIs, he averaged 118, and in the two T20Is, he scored 51* and 33 respectively. In an exclusive conversation with Cricbuzz, Hridoy opened up about his challenges, aspirations, and how he deals with criticism.

How challenging was the New Zealand series given that you were returning from a tennis-elbow injury?

Hridoy: To be very honest, it was quite tough for me mentally. The pain was always at the back of my mind when I would go out to bat. Bayzid bhai and Sunny bhai (BCB physios) took care of me. Bayzid bhai used to say Sachin Tendulkar wanted to leave the game due to the pain from this injury, and I was really upset about it. I started my treatment before the camp. It was a big challenge as I wasn't able to bat. The situation would have been different if it was a domestic game, but international cricket has a different environment and preparation.

You usually bat long hours in the nets…

Hridoy: I'm used to spending long hours in the nets since I was very young. If something doesn't satisfy me, I keep doing it till I'm content. I always try to develop myself and move forward.

Your batting order in ODIs changes frequently. Is there pressure adjusting to that?

Hridoy: I won't say pressure. Every player goes through that. It's a challenge when you're shifted from one position to another, but you have to take it up as a professional. The team has given me this role after talking to me. If they make me play up the order, I will try to score big runs. If they make me play down the order, I will serve my team in that role.

What is your preferred batting position in ODIs?

Hridoy: From childhood, I have always batted at number four. But first priority is the team's demand, then comes my demand.

Your batting is very leg-side dominant. Have you been working on developing that aspect?

Hridoy: Every person has room for improvement every day. The challenge is to improve oneself day by day and move up a level, as a professional player.

How do you handle criticism?

Hridoy: It's not in my control if someone says something positive or negative. When people talk about negatives, they want you to do well. I take it positively. Maybe I am playing badly. Then I think how I can do better.

Do those criticisms impact your game?

Hridoy: If you have criticisms playing in your mind, you won't be able to play your shots. Everyone should work according to their strengths. Sometimes you get out playing shots, sometimes you get runs. It's about developing yourself and playing as risk-free as possible.

You were given vice-captaincy ahead of the Asia Cup T20, but when Litton Das was ruled out, BCB gave leadership to Jaker Ali. Did that hurt you?

Hridoy: It was the board's call and they did what is good for the team. I believe what is written in my fate will happen. If I'm destined to become captain, it will happen.

If offered the national team captaincy, will you take it?

Hridoy: I cannot say that. If the team management feels I can be a good option, then there is something to think about.

What is your plan regarding red-ball cricket?

Hridoy: Playing Test cricket is the dream of every player. It's the same for me.

But you are labelled as a white-ball player.

Hridoy: I have the desire to play Test cricket. The position in which I bat – it remains to be seen if that position is vacant in the Test team. If everything goes well and I perform, the opportunity will come.

You went through a rough phase. How difficult was it for you?

Hridoy: Every player goes through a bad phase. The thing is, 30 runs in our country is not considered a good score for a middle-order batter in T20. But I have the backing of the team. For a batter at number five or six, if they get 20 or 15 balls, even 20-25 runs will have an impact. Not everyone will score fifties and hundreds in T20. More importance should be given to the impact of an innings.