Dhaka, May 25:

Wasim Jaffer roared back to form with an unbeaten 138 as India made Bangladesh pay for their inexplicable decision to field in the second and final Test here on Friday.

India seized the opportunity to pile up 326 without loss by the close of the first day at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium.

Jaffer justified the team management’s decision to retain him in the side by slamming 17 boundaries in his fourth Test century. The Mumbai opener put on 175 for the first wicket with Dinesh Karthick, who made 82 before retiring hurt with cramp in his left arm.

Jaffer also retired hurt with leg cramps midway through the final session. Cramp seemed the only way batsmen would depart, but there was no respite for the hosts as Indian captain Rahul Dravid helped himself to 88 not out before stumps. Sachin Tendulkar (9) was the other batsman at the crease.

Bangladesh did not help their own cause by dropping both openers. Karthick was on 11 when Saqibul Hasan spilled a chance at second slip off Syed Rasel. Jaffer was put down in the first over after lunch at 42 when he drove Mohammad Rafique uppishly but the bowler failed to latch on to a waist-high return catch.

Karthick had moved to 74 when Australian umpire Daryl Harper turned down a loud shout for a catch as the batsman slashed at a wide ball from Mohammad Sharif. Television replays confirmed the ball had come off the edge of the bat.

Karthick and Jaffer hit out in the afternoon session to add a further 108 runs in 26.5 overs by tea. Karthick followed his 56 in the first innings of the opening Test with his fourth half-century.

Bangladesh selected three seamers in Mashrafe Mortaza, Sharif and Rasel and went in with just one specialist spinner in Rafique.

India awarded a Test cap to 18-year-old Delhi seamer Ishant Sharma.

Sharma took the place of Vikram Rajvir Singh, who played in the first Test.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA — 1st Innings

D Karthick retired hurt 82

W Jaffer retired hurt 138

R Dravid not out 88

S Tendulkar not out 9

Extras: 9 (lb4, w1, nb4)

Total: 326/0

Bangladesh bowling: Mortaza 19.4-4-49-0,

Rasel 13.4-0-64-0, Sharif 13.4-0-56-0,

Rafique 22-2-85-0, Saqibul 13-1-33-0,

Ashraful 8-0-35-0