Chittagong, May 18:

India overcame the first-ball dismissal of opener Wasim Jaffer to pile up 295-3 on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh today.

Half-centuries from captain Rahul Dravid, Dinesh Karthick, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly frustrated the hosts.

India, electing to take first strike, were stunned when Jaffer was bowled off the first ball of the match by Bangladesh pace spearhead Mashrafe Mortaza. But their joy was short-lived as the Indian middle order settled in to take their team towards a commanding total.

Dravid (61) and Karthick (56) put on 124 for the second wicket before falling in the space of 12 deliveries.

Senior pros Tendulkar and Ganguly added 163 for the unbroken fourth wicket. Tendulkar was unbeaten on 80. Ganguly was on 82, a stroke-filled knock studded with 10 fours and two sixes.

Play ended 13 overs early due to bad light, much to the relief of the Bangladesh fielders, who toiled hard in hot and humid conditions. Mortaza ended the day with 2-64.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA — 1st Innings

W Jaffer b Mortaza 0

D Karthick c Ashraful b Mortaza 56

R Dravid c Mashud b Shahadat 61

S Tendulkar not out 80

S Ganguly not out 82

Extras: 16 (b1, lb5, w1, nb9)

Total: 295/3

FoW: 1-0, 2-124, 3-132

Bangladesh bowling: Mortaza 18-5-64-2,

Shahadat 9-1-33-1, Rafique 20-2-89-0,

Enamul 13-0-57-0, Saqibul 13-2-29-0,

Ashraful 1-0-5-0, Saleh 3-1-12-0