By Qaiser Mohammad Ali
IANS
Dhaka : Overcoming his horrendous performance in the first Test, Wasim Jaffer scored his fourth century to provide India a solid start on the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh here Friday.
Jaffer had failed to score a single run in Chittagong, but he made amends on a benign pitch to score 138 (239 balls, 372 minutes, 17x4s) before retiring, probably with dehydration.
At close, India were 326 without loss on a day they completely dominated the rival bowling attack. Captain Rahul Dravid was nearing his 24th century (88 batting, 131 balls, 11x4s) and Sachin Tendulkar was on nine (31 balls) when play ended.
Dinesh Karthik made his fourth half-century (82, 153 balls, 12x4s) before the heat and humidity became too much for him after a Four-hour stint at the crease. If he completes his century Saturday, it would be his maiden century.
Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar must be ruing his decision to ask India to take the first strike after winning the toss at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, which is hosting its first Test match.
It is a grassless pitch, almost perfect for batting. But there is nothing for the bowlers, whose job became tougher due to the harsh weather conditions.
It had rained heavily Thursday evening and the humidity was high. But that did not take away from the knocks of Jaffer, Dravid and Karthik.
Jaffer, who had scored a century in India's previous Test in South Africa, is under pressure after failing to score in the Chittagong Test. He looked confident from the start and he and Karthik were in the scoring mode.
Karthik got an early 'life' when he was dropped by Sakibul Hasan at second slip off left-arm pacer Syed Rasel in the innings' eighth over. He was on 10 at the time.
Karthik again got a reprieve at 74 when he slashed wildly at a wide delivery from Mohammad Sharif and wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud grabbed the ball.
There was a confident appeal by the Bangladeshi fielders, but Australian umpire Daryl Harper felt he had not edged the ball. Television action replays showed that he had indeed got a faint touch with the bat.
Jaffer also got one reprieve off the very second ball after lunch break. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique dropped a simple catch off his own ball when the Mumbai batsman was at 42 and the team total was 69 without loss.
Karthik did not come out to bat after tea. He and Jaffer had scored 175 for the unbroken opening wicket by then.
Jaffer had Dravid as his new partner. Both gelled well and ran their runs with a lot of understanding. They added 106 before Jaffer retired to the dressing room, apparently due to exhaustion.
Tendulkar took his Mumbai teammate Jaffer's place, and he and Dravid continued in the same vein as the earlier batsmen.
Towards the close of play, Dravid hit the lone six of the day off Mohammad Ashraful's ball.
Frustrated, pacer Mashrafe Mortaza peppered Dravid and Tendulkar with short pitched balls but the batsmen negotiated them well.
In the morning, India gave a Test cap to lanky Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma. He replaced Vikram Raj Vir Singh for the only change in the XI that played in Chittagong.
Bangladesh made two changes, bringing in Mohammad Sharif for Enamul Haque (junior) and Syed Rasel for Shahadat Hossain, who had body ache and flu.
This is the first Test at this stadium, and all previous matches in Dhaka – 17 Tests and 58 One-day Internationals – were held at the Bangabandhu Stadium.
SCOREBOARD
First Day, Second Test, India vs. Bangladesh,
Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka
India (1st innings):
Dinesh Karthik retired hurt 82
Wasim Jaffer retired hurt 138
Rahul Dravid batting 88
Sachin Tendulkar batting 9
Extras: (leg byes 4, no balls 4, wide 1)
Total: (for no loss in 90 overs) 326
Bowling:
Mashrafe Mortaza 19.4-4-49-0 (nb 1, w 1)
Syed Rasel 13.4-0-64-0 (nb 1)
Mohammad Sharif 13.4-0-56-0 (nb 1)
Mohammad Rafique 22-2-85-0
Shakibul Hasan 13-1-33-0
Mohammad Ashraful 8-0-35-0
Umpires: Daryl Harper (Australia) and Billy Doctrove (West Indies)
TV umpire: Nadir Shah (Bangladesh)
Reserve umpire: Monzur Rahman (Bangladesh)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)