Soumya Sarkar proved his worth when given the opportunity to step up for the Bangladesh cricket team. With Shakib al Hasan absent, Sarkar was expected to fill the role of an all-rounder and faced immense pressure going into the series opener.
Unfortunately, he had a dismal start, making zero runs and giving away 63 runs in just six overs during the rain-curtailed game. To make matters worse, he also dropped two catches. However, coach Chandika Hathurusingha eased the expectations on Sarkar, emphasizing that he didn't need to replicate Shakib's performance.
This small boost seemed to have a significant impact on Sarkar's mindset. Instead of trying to be someone else, he played on his own terms and delivered exceptional results. In a remarkable display of skill and perseverance, Sarkar scored an impressive 169 runs in the match, although his efforts were in vain due to the lack of support from his teammates.
"I feel somewhat disappointed that my century couldn't contribute to a win. Scoring a century is a personal achievement, but ultimately, cricket is a team sport, and winning the game would have made it even more special," Sarkar shared with reporters after the game.
Sarkar's inclusion in the ODI squad initially faced criticism, which intensified after his underwhelming performance in the opening game. However, he silenced his critics by producing a sensational ODI century, his first in five years.
He paced his innings astutely, adjusting his approach when wickets fell quickly at the other end. Sarkar built crucial partnerships with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan, adding 91 and 61 runs, respectively, before unleashing his aggressive side in the final overs. After reaching his hundred, he scored 67 runs off just 32 balls.
Throughout these five years, Sarkar faced multiple setbacks and was in and out of the national team. But with this superb century, he proved Hathurusingha's unwavering support was well-founded.
"There's no magic involved. He understands me well, and his guidance made a difference," Sarkar acknowledged in an interview with reporters.
Sarkar also revealed that during his lean patch, he shielded himself from negative external influences to retain a positive mindset.
"I stopped paying attention to the news and avoided discussing cricket with friends. I surrounded myself with those who had a positive outlook. There will always be negativity, but I couldn't let it consume me," admitted Sarkar.
He recognized that as a professional cricketer, ups and downs are part of the journey. Rather than dwelling on failure, he believed in focusing on self-improvement and staying committed to the process.
"We don't perform well in every game, and if we dwell on those bad performances, we'll lag behind. We strive to think positively, learn from our mistakes, and aim for progress—trying to be the best we can be," Sarkar concluded.