DHAKA (Reuters):

INDIA WILL retain opener Wasim Jaffer for the second and final Test against Bangladesh starting today in Dhaka, even though he scored no runs in the previous match.

"I think the selectors are quite clear irrespective of what happened in the first game. We will not be changing an opening combination after every game," skipper Rahul Dravid said yesterday.

Jaffer was bowled for a first-ball duck by paceman Mashrafe Mortaza in the first innings of the Chittagong Test. He was then caught off pace bowler Shahadat Hossain with the third ball of the second innings.

The 29-year-old has played in 18 Tests and hit three centuries, including one against South Africa in Cape Town in January.

Not selected

The decision to keep Jaffer means V.V.S. Laxman and Yuvraj Singh will miss out again as they were not selected for the first Test, which ended in a draw after rain disrupted much of the play.

"It's unfortunate that both V.V.S. (Laxman) and Yuvraj had to miss out. It's not an easy decision," said Dravid.

Indian spinner Anil Kumble has recovered from the fever that sidelined him for the final two days of the Chittagong match.

The tourists had fielded five bowlers in the first Test and Dravid said they were considering using three spinners for the second.

"We are keeping that option open, whether to play with three spinners or three quick bowlers," he said. "We will take the final decision after giving a last look at the wicket tomorrow."

Spinners

The two other spinners in the side are Ramesh Powar and Rajesh Pawar, who could make his Test debut. Should India decide against three spinners, pacer Ishant Sharma could earn his first cap.

Bangladesh, playing their final match under coach Dav What-more, have recalled pace bowler Mohammad Sharif.

"He has been recalled, as one of the two seamers who played in the first Test in Chittagong has some fitness problems," chief selector Faruk Ahmed said.

Faruk did not say whether the fitness concerns were about Mashrafe Mortaza or Shahadat Hossain.

"We are not thinking that we are going to play to win this game or draw this game but want to do our best," Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said.