Tendulkar puts the ball away for one of his seven boundaries

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly shared an unbroken partnership of 163 to put India in control of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

The tourists were 295-3 when bad light ended play early, with Ganguly 82 not out and Tendulkar on 80.

They came together after Dinesh Karthik (56) and skipper Rahul Dravid (61) were dismissed in the space of three overs.

Pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza was the pick of the Bangladesh attack, taking 2-64 from 18 overs.

He gave India a jolt when he bowled Wasim Jaffer, who misjudged the line and offered no stroke, with the first ball of the game and later broke the stand of 124 between Karthik and Dravid when the former top edged an attempted pull.

"I tricked Wasim a bit. I usually begin with an outswinger, but this time I decided to bring the ball in and it worked.

"But the conditions are not good for bowlers. It is very hot and humid and there is no help from the pitch. We really have to work very hard for our wickets," said Mortaza.

Shahadat Hossain accounted for Dravid when he produced a little extra bounce to find the top edge of his bat as he tried to cut and keeper Khaled Mashud made no mistake with the catch.

Jaffer paid the price for an error of judgment

India had gone into the game with veteran stars Tendulkar, Ganguly and Anil Kumble all returning to action after being rested for the one-day series.

But there was no place for either VVS Laxman or Yuvraj Singh as they opted for a side including five bowlers, with off-spinner Romesh Powar winning his first cap.

Bangladesh also had a debutant in their line-up as they rewarded all-rounder Saqibul Hasan for impressive performances at the recent World Cup with a place in the middle order.

Hasan was one of five spin bowlers tried by captain Habibul Bashar during the day but although they were tidy, they were unable to find sufficient turn to disturb Tendulkar and Ganguly.

Tendulkar took 10 balls fewer to reach fifty, his coming off 75 deliveries, but he was later overtaken by his left-handed partner, who hit two sixes off Mohammad Rafique and 10 fours.