Dav Whatmore's last match as Bangladesh coach started on a sour note as he had to helplessly watch Indian batsmen mercilessly pound his wards. The foundation for the suffering was set when hosts' skipper Habibul Bashar asked India to bat first on a placid wicket.
Whatmore did not have to think twice to say that they had misread the wicket. "Yes, we have misread the wicket. There is a reason to regret.
“Obviously, if we would have known that the wicket was going to behave like that then we would not have elected to field first," he said.
"We knew what the conditions were overhead but not on the ground. But we thought it would be a little bit more advantageous bowling first, but it didn't work out. We do talk with each other. There is a selector, the captain and the vice-captain. It was a decision based on the input from a number of people," the Australian added.
However, Whatmore refused to blame the pitch. "This type of wicket is a surface you get from time to time and you need to play as well as you can on it. If you are a batsman you would like it, if you are a bowler it will be difficult. The Bangladeshi batsmen will have a chance tomorrow to see whether they can get stuck on it as well."
Bangladesh had put down two catches – Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Kaarthick –  and Whatmore said it cost his team dear. "It is something that people could overlook a lot. Catches really make a difference. When we are desperately unlucky with an issue it does help, it gives you the boost in such conditions. Yes, today we missed two good opportunities."
 Detailing the strategy for Saturday, he said, "It will be even harder for the Bangladesh bowlers tomorrow. They are just going to have to prod along and do the best they can. It looks like trying to get 10 wickets; it will be very, very hard to achieve. What we must try and do is to bat well in the first innings."
About the tough conditions on Friday, he said, "It is easier to make a comment now. You try and get the games with other countries. It is a very tight schedule, not a lot of room to move in this calendar year.
“If India was to come to Bangladesh this year, this was the only time they had. Yeah, it's a real test of character."
Regarding his interaction with the BCCI, Whatmore said: "I just want to say and even the Indian Cricket Board said last week that they met me for 10 minutes, that's all I will say."
Whatmore also lavished praise on century-maker Jaffer. "He was very good. It was a very controlled innings and terrific to watch. He has a lot of concentration," he said.