After much confusion over India's tour of Bangladesh due to the supposed terrorist threats, the players had to wait a bit longer as the match began two-and-a-half hours behind schedule due to damp pitch conditions. But once the match got underway, it was India all the way. Irfan Pathan was undoubtedly the star of the show claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Anil Kumble also rewrote history on this day as he surpassed the legendary Kapil Dev to emerge as India's highest wicket-taker in the longer version of the game.

Things started off positively for India as Sourav Ganguly won the toss for a change- something which can be considered as a miracle of sorts looking at his past record of losing tosses. Deciding to field first on a damp wicket was a sensible move by the Indian skipper. And Irfan Pathan justified his capatin's decision to the hilt by running through the top half of the batting order. He was well supported by Zaheer Khan who scalped two and is now only a couple of wickets away from the 100 wicket mark.

Pathan, in particular, was in top form and had every batsman in trouble with his sharp swinging deliveries. Javed Omar was his first scalp. The right-hander was caught right in front offering no stroke to a Pathan inswinger. Not long after, he was on a hat-trick after snaring Nasif Iqbal and Rajin Saleh of consecutive deliveries both plumb in front.

Zaheer Khan too, though not as successful, was impressive as well. Khan was rewarded for his consistent line and length kept when he had Habibul Bashar called by Sachin Tendulkar at deep square leg. The Bangladesh captain struggled for his eight runs and his dismissal plunged the hosts into deep trouble which was further accentuated by the loss of the experienced Khaled Mashud

But once the two were through with their spell, the Bangladeshi batsmen got some respite. Anil Kumble just one short of becoming India's highest wicket-taker looked out of sorts and got a bit of pasting. Mhd. Ashraful in the company of Manjural Rana managed to consolidate the team's position with a 55 run partnership before Pathan struck right after the break to dismiss Rana with a ball that moved away and got a faint tickle on its way to the keeper.

Pathan got rid of Mushfiqur Rahman leg before the very next delivery to register his best bowling analysis in Tests and be on a hat-trick for the second time in the day.

Mohammed Rafique, then put together an amazing display of strokes and gave the Indian bowlers ample headache. Rafique, swept and square cut the Indian spinners with effortless ease enroute to his thoroughly entertaining 47.

Ashraful, on the other hand played sensibly and registered a well deserved half-century. But at the end of the day, did not have enough support from the others to help Bangladesh post a reasonable total. He remained unbeaten on 60.

Kumble finished off the innings first trapping Rafique lbw with his quicker delivery. It also gave Kumble wicket no. 435 to make his India's most successful Test bowler. The next ball, something amazing happened. Pakistani umpire adjudged Tapash Baishya not out after the Indians appealed for an lbw hinting the batsman played the ball. Rahul Dravid, fielding at slip, then snaffled the catch and for the third time in the match, an Indian bowler was on a hat-trick.

Indains finally managed to skittle out Bangladesh for a paltry 184 and now have all the time in the world to push for a huge victory. The day undoubtedly belonged to Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble but Mhd. Ashraful too proved that there is talent in the Bangladesh team which only has to be harnessed. Which is exactly the reason why Dav Whatmore has been appointed the coach. Will he be able to do to Bangladeshi cricket what he managed to achieve with the Sri Lankan team, only time will tell.