Bangladesh are scheduled to play their fourth match of the World Cup at the MCA International Stadium in Pune against India on October 19. Four days ahead of the all-important clash, however, their star opening batter was involved in an altercation with Bangladeshi journalists at the team hotel.

Das was not happy with the presence of media personnel at the hotel lobby and reportedly complained to security about them, following which the journalists, who were trying to talk to the players and take their pictures, were asked to vacate the hotel.

One of the reporters present there expressed his displeasure over Das’ behaviour. Speaking to Daily Cricket, a Bangladeshi publication, the reporter said, “It was rude behaviour from Litton. We were insulted in some way and it was not possible for us to accept it. The ICC had allowed us to talk to the players. Taskin (Ahmed) and Mahmudullah talked to us, but the way Litton behaved was unacceptable. Just because he is not scoring runs doesn’t mean that he will misbehave with us.”

[caption id=”attachment_587302″ align=”alignnone” width=”1024″] Litton Das has blown hot and cold in the last few matches.[/caption]

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Following the incident, Das issued an apology today (October 16) morning through a social media post. “I apologise whole-heartedly for the incident that took place in the team hotel yesterday,” wrote Das on Facebook (Meta). “Actually, I did not realise that a lot of journalists were present there. I am extremely sorry for the sudden mishap. I am always respectful towards the media. Journalists have played a big role in the development of Bangladesh cricket.”

Das has not been in the best of form at the World Cup. Apart from a half-century against England, Das has had two failures from three games so far, including a golden duck on his birthday in the last match against New Zealand in Chennai.

Das has fond memories of playing against India. In the T20 World Cup last year, he scored a 27-ball 60 and threatened to take the game away from India before being run-out at the Adelaide Oval. Bangladesh will hope that he put the controversy behind and remain in the best shape possible to deliver against India on Thursday (October 19).