India were comfortably placed at 122 for one at stumps after Bangladesh took a slender lead of one run on Day 3 of the first Test in Chittagong on Monday.

India consolidated their position with Gautam Gambhir (47) and night watchman Amit Mishra (24) in the middle at close of play.

Earlier, Zaheer Khan (3 for 54) and Amit Mishra (3 for 66) destroyed Bangladesh and wiped out the tail in exactly two overs after tea.

The Indian bowlers used the helpful overcast conditions in the morning, to claim three quick Bangladeshi wickets and reduce the home side to 98 for six.

But they let the opposition off the hook and allowed Bangladesh to stage a comeback of sorts.

With the pitch easing out as the sun shone brightly as the day progressed, Mahumudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim defied the Indian bowlers for one-and-half hours in the post-lunch session without success.

The stand between Mahumudullah and Rahim frustrated the Indians.

The duo scored at a good pace, raising their 50-run stand in just 66 deliveries. They picked most of their boundaries off an erratic Sreesanth and raised their 100 from 152 balls.

Mahumudullah was the more aggressive of the duo and reached his fifty from 76 balls with the help of eight fours.

After garnering a one run lead India then consolidated their position with a strong start in their second essay.

Sehwag and Gambhir applied themselves, mixing caution with aggression to ensure that India end the day on a good score without losing to many wickets.

Sehwag opted for a more cautious batting instead of his typical quick-fire innings.

Sehwag was out in the 17th over with India's score on 90. His 58-ball 45, which he made with the help of four boundaries and a six, ended half an hour before stumps were drawn.

Mishra provided the late sparks with some lusty blows off Mohammad Ashraful, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahumudullah.

Gambhir seemed to be looking to make amends for his first innings failure as he played the balls on merit and hung around for a bigger knock.