In between, Ganguly even came up with two sixes, both from trademark lofts over long-off, and Tendulkar served up the by-now-familiar fare, no frills, no risks, percentage power play, obviously eager to pile on the runs against a dispirited attack, get to that long-awaited 100 No 36, 14 months after the last one.

Finally, Bangladesh. They bowled like they always do, with a lot of heart; they fielded like they always do, fighting for every run; they set fields like they always do, aggressive, a short extra cover in place throughout, even a silly point late into the day. But then, as always, they ended up just those few yards short.

Sachin named vice-captain

Chittagong: Sachin Tendulkar was named vice-captain of the Indian team in Bangladesh for the two Tests. The national selectors had not named anybody as Rahul Dravid’s deputy for the ODI series. That squad, however, did not include Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

Scoreboard

INDIA (1st Innings): W Jaffer b Mortaza 0, D Kaarthick c Ashraful b Mortaza 56, R Dravid c Mashud b Hossain 61, S Tendulkar batting 80,

S Ganguly batting 82

Extras (b1, lb5, w1, nb9): 16; Total (for 3 wkts, in 77 overs): 295

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-124, 3-132.

Bowling: Mortaza 18-5-64-2, Hossain 9-1-33-1, Rafique 20-2-89-0, Haque 13-0-57-0, Hasan 13-2-29-0, Ashraful 1-0-5-0, Saleh 3-1-12-0.

Bangla Bytes

• Wasim Jaffer became the fifth Indian batsman to be dismissed on the first ball in a Test match.

... contd.