Among those critics were those perennial nattering nabobs of negativity as far as Indian cricket is concerned, who work at the self proclaimed “Home of Cricket” on the Web, who were apoplectic with joy, after Bangladesh managed to restrict India to a smallish total in the first innings.  They even managed to post a headline for their report of the first day titled "Who is ordinary now?"  Well, they got their answer, didn't they?

One poor day at the office by the number one Test team in the world and one very good day at the office by the lowest ranked one, does not alter that reality.  Sure, on that particular day India were ordinary, but over their entire decade or more of Test cricket, Bangladesh have been worse than ordinary.  Sehwag was being too kind.  Not to put to a fine a point on it they are abysmal. 

Their Win/Loss record of 3 wins (2 of those against a West Indies 3^rd XI) and 53 losses is the worst of any side ever granted Test status.  It is true that many other teams, India included, did not win their first match till many matches after being officially recognized as Test nations, but none, not India, not New Zealand, not Zimbabwe, or any other Test country lost virtually each and every match they played in their first 50 Tests as a country.  For these other countries there were plenty of brave draws, near wins, etc., to hint at greater potential.

For whatever reason, Bangladesh have not progressed one tiny bit in the eleven odd years they have been a Test nation.  A Test match nation that has no batsman averaging above 30 except one, and that one averages 30.87 is really quite shocking, and goes a long way in explaining why they can’t even draw matches, let alone win them. 

As to the match itself, India should not be satisfied, despite what in the end was a pretty facile win.  There are several gaps to be filled.  The Indian side still is missing a pace bowling all rounder.  Going into a Test match in the subcontinent with only one specialist spinner may be OK against a team like Bangladesh, but against a stronger side, such as South Africa, it could be suicidal.  

The return of Harbhajan Singh and MS Dhoni in the next match will boost the team.  Losing VVS Laxman to a series ending finger injury, he apparently had to have ten stitches on his split finger, will weaken the batting a bit, but maybe it will provide Murali Vijay a chance to stake his claim in the middle order as well and throw down a challenge to Yuvraj Singh, who has been far from convincing.  Another possible casualty of the first test could be Sreesanth who has a hamstring niggle, and if Sudip Tyagi is picked to replace him, it will be a well deserved first Test cap.  Indian cricket is full of players who have been awarded one with much less justification.

As for Bangladesh, the only positives from the match were the spin bowling and captaincy of Shakib Al Hasan, the pace bowling of Shahadat Hossain, and the batting of wicketkeeper, Mushfiqar Rahim, who incidentally will finally get to play against his hero and role model, the Indian captain.

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