Rain played spoilsport yet again as the second day of the one-off Test between India and Bangladesh was called off without a single delivery being bowled, in Fatullah, on Thursday.
India ended the rain-hit first day on 239 for no loss, with only 56 overs being bowled.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan led the way with a sparkling innings of 150 not out from 158 balls, while Murali Vijay was unbeaten on a solid 89.
The weather forecast for the remaining three days is not encouraging, with more rain predicted. It will leave Virat Kohli's men with very little time to take 20 wickets and enforce an outright result in the match.
- Day 1 Report ' Scorecard
Interestingly, this is the first time that a Test is being played in Bangladesh in the month of June.
Out of the 50 Tests, including the current one, held in Bangladesh so far, never ever has a match been played in the months of June, July, August or September, which is peak monsoon season in this part of the world.
The seven Test matches that India played till date were held in November (2000), December (2004-05), May (2007) and January (2010).
There was an air of inevitability about rain playing a part during this short visit by the Indian team. The tour also includes three One-Day Internationals.
That the monsoon might affect the series was predicted by Bangladesh's ODI captain Mashrafe Mortaza during a recent interaction.
"I hope rain keeps away and both can play 50 overs, but one can't say as it's rainy season now," Mortaza had said.
Image: The Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium in Fatullah under covers because of rain.
Photograph courtesy: Bangladesh Cricket/Twitter
