Weather conditions call shots on Day One

Dhaka, May 25 (UNI) India's score of 326 for no loss on the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh was overshadowed by complaints of gruelling weather conditions that was taking its toll on the cricketers.

With the mercury soaring to 38 degree Celsius and the relative humidity of 70 per cent and above, the players were choked at the burning cauldron called Sher-e-Banlga stadium.

Indian openers Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthick, playing long innings in the middle, fell victim to cramps and dehydration and had to retire to the cool confines of the team dressing room.

While Karthick could not return to the crease after the tea break to complete his century, Jaffer had to leave the ground 93 minutes later on 138.

''Both of them complained of nausea and dehydration and had to be administered saline. (Physio) John Gloster is giving them medications. He says they will be allright tomorrow,'' team administrative manager Surendra Bhave later told reporters.

Speaking to reporters aftter the day's play, Jaffer said, ''Obviously, conditions are tough as you can see.

Me and Karthick had to come back due to cramps. But, conditions are the same for both the teams.'' Bhave said the Indian players were taking regular ice baths to cope with the heat and humidity.

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said the conditions presented a test of character for the players.

''These conditions really test your character. It's not easy as we have seen today, it's very difficult.

These are very trying conditions for players from both the teams.'' Jaffer dodged queries on whether the climate was taking its toll.

''Playing or not playing (in such conditions) is not in my hands; it is up to the BCCI or Bangladesh Cricket Board to decide to play when and where.'' When the same query was put to Whatmore, he said, ''Again it comes back to the scheduling issue. 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.'' Only three days ago, Indian skipper Rahul Dravid had said the scheduling of the series could have been better.

''Ideally, the timing of the series could have been better. But schedules are crammed -- over crammed if you ask me -- so I don't know how we are going to fit everything in,'' Dravid had said.

UNI