Rahul Dravid's decision to throw his last dice on the board – a sporting declaration that invited Bangladesh to have a go at the target – to squeeze a favourable result out of the rain-marred first Test paid no results as the match ambled to a draw.
The soggy outfield caused by heavy overnight rains ensured that the play would start well behind the schedule at 2.00 pm local time. Due credit should be given to the ground staff for preparing the ground even for that time considering the ground condition. The delayed start destroyed any possibility of a result, but the Indian batsmen went for some quick runs once the play started though it resulted in losing some wickets.
Resuming from their overnight 44 for two, India made 100 runs in 24 overs for an overall lead of 249 runs. Bangladesh had 45 overs to achieve the target, but after some initial fireworks they settled for the less fancied route. They made 104 for two in 28 overs before both the teams agreed for a draw.

Strategy
Earlier, Indian batsmen's strategy – a positive one at that – was quite evident when they went after the Bangladesh bowlers right from the word go. Dinesh Kaarthick, who resumed from 15, did not last long as an ill-timed pull off Mashrafe Mortaza was grabbed by Shahariar Nafees at mid-wicket.
Sachin Tendulkar too departed soon; the Mumbaikar went for a slog sweep off left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique only to see his stumps getting rearranged. Sourav Ganguly too perished in search of runs as skipper Dravid decided to declare the innings once it touched the three-figure mark.
Bangladesh needed to bat in a limited-over style to mount a serious chase of that target and they did that with gusto in the period before tea. Despite losing Shahariar Nafees early in the innings – Mahendra Singh Dhoni made a neat collection behind the wicket off Rudra Pratap Singh – Javed Omar and Habibul Bashar scored runs at a brisk pace as the first seven overs yielded 36 runs.
At that stage Dravid might have felt the absence of Anil Kumble as the veteran leg-spinner – who made a brief appearance on the field – is yet to recover fully from the fever that he had suffered on Monday. However, after the tea, both the batsmen went into a shell even when the Indian bowlers did not appear to cause any trouble to them.

Run-drought
Bashar was going through an extended run-drought and the Bangladesh captain looked determined to atone for his previous failures. Some elegant drives and those trademark cheeky pats past the cover region indicated a substantial knock from him. But once again he flattered to deceive. Bashar decided to open his shoulders against off-spinner Ramesh Powar, but his heave did not go past Rudra Pratap Singh at mid-on.
On the other hand, Omar looked in fine fettle, playing both pace and spin with great degree of comfort. He made a solid half-century that would boost his and the team's confidence ahead of the second and final Test in Dhaka, beginning in two day's time.
The other positive that the home side will take to the next Test will be the performance of Mortaza. The pace bowler bowled with sustained animosity and troubled all the batsmen with his ability to generate swing at a considerable pace and a disconcerting bounce. He was deservedly adjudged the man of the match.
From an Indian point of view, they badly missed the services of Kumble as other bowlers – barring RP Singh – came up with a patchy performance.
The batsmen too needed to spruce up their display against a set of inexperienced, but highly spirited Bangladesh bowlers. The bowlers too are required to shed the rust before the second Test. On the hindsight, it was their inability to dismiss Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain on the fourth day that hampered their cause a lot in the match.
The next Test, going by the signs in the first Test, will be another keenly fought affair, of course if the weather permits.