Openers put India on top on rain-marred day

Bangladesh bowler failed a single wicket on the first day’s play

Fatullah (Bangladesh), June 10 (IANS) It was a perfect toss to win for captain Virat Kohli as India openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan piled on runs at a good rate to end at 239 for no loss in what turned out to be a rain-marred first day of the lone Test against Bangladesh here on Wednesday.

Left-hander Dhawan (150 not out) was in rollicking form as he notched up his third Test century in only 101 balls, his first since February 2014. Vijay was a little slow off the blocks but gradually found his rhythm to end the day at a solid 89 not out, his 11th half-century.

Dhawan looked in sublime touch as he caressed 21 boundaries in his 158-ball innings while his partner eked out eight fours and a six at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium to put their team in a commanding position despite only 56 overs being bowled. This is also the duo's second 200-run partnership.

The Bangladeshi bowlers were hapless as none of them succeeded in taking wickets. To add salt to their wounds, the fielders did not back them as they dropped a couple of sitters. Pacers or tweakers, Dhawan, and Vijay hammered the bowlers all over the ground.

There was an early movement for pacer Mohammad Shahid at the start of the innings, but the Indian batsmen saw him off and started plundering runs.

India were going at a good rate, batting at 107 for no loss, when the skies opened up after only 23.3 overs were bowled in the morning. The rain forced the players to rush back to the pavilion as covers came on the ground. Minutes later, the umpires declared lunch.

The second session of play was completely wiped out by the showers and play only started after almost an hour into the third session.

In the 32.3 overs that were bowled in the last session, India scored 132 runs with Dhawan bringing up his ton and Vijay crossing his fifty.

Play will start half an hour earlier on Thursday.