The wicketkeeper-batsman said the track at Bir Sreshta stadium was very docile and as such it would be a task to get the opposition out twice.
CHITTAGONG: India might be set for a big score but if India were to win the first Test against Bangladesh, the bowlers have to play a huge role, young wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthick has said.
Karthick said the track at Bir Sreshta stadium was very docile and as such it would be a task to get the opposition out twice.
"It is a flat one, only that the odd ball kept low," the 21-year-old said.
"When we bowl we will have to bend the back and put the ball in the right areas and if we do that I am sure we can restrict Bangladesh."
Karthick slipped into the role of specialist opener comfortably and hit a stroke-filled 56 while adding 124-runs for the second wicket with captain Rahul Dravid.
Dravid himself made an attacking 61 and after two more half-centuries, from Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, India were comfortably placed at 295 for three at close on the opening day.
Karthick's knock came after his partner Wasim Jaffer had fallen to the first ball of the match by Mashrafe Mortaza.
He said he was unnerved by the rare phenomenon.
"Things like wicket in first ball do not happen always. But after that we settled down and played well for the day," he said.
In fact, Karthick felt he could have carried on if only he had shown better shot selection.
"I have put some runs on the board, but I could have been there a little longer. I just thought that shot will come off. Perhaps, not a best shot to be played at that moment," Karthick said referring to his pull off Mortaza from outside off stump off Mortaza that went straight to midwicket.
The Tamil Nadu player was thankful to the team management for showing a lot of faith in him.
"It was a challenging effort as I was a bit nervous in the beginning as the innings progressed I settled down," he said, when asked about his feeling when he walked up to the middle to open the innings.
Mortaza said the hosts would adopt a mixed ploy of containing while attacking on the second morning in order to reign in the Indian batsmen.
"India have one of the greatest batting line-up in the world. So it is difficult to bowl to them," said the pacer who returned with 2-64.
"Sachin and Sourav were playing very well. They are two of the greatest players in the world.
"They have huge number of runs in Test cricket and it is very difficult to bowl at them on these flat tracks. Containing is the first priority."
"The wicket is absolutely flat and it is difficult to bowl on. Sachin and Sourav are playing very carefully. They are giving very little chance."
Mortaza, however, does not agree that his team had lost the initiative it got by taking the early wicket.
"We have time tomorrow morning. If we can take a few quick wickets tomorrow it could be different."
Mortaza was doubtful if his team would have preferred a bouncy track.
"Can't say. We have to keep in mind that our batsmen will also have to bat on the same track."
Asked about Jaffer's wicket, he said, "A bowler tries to take wicket with every ball. The first ball I wanted to hit the right place. I also tried to bring it in to surprise the batsman."
On whether his team had set a target within which it would try to restrict India, Mortaza replied, "It is very difficult to say how soon we can get them out and on what score. The job at hand will be to keep them from scoring freely".
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