CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh (AP) _ Pacers R.P. Singh and V.R.V Singh each claimed three wickets to guide India to a healthy lead on Monday, the fourth day of their rain-plagued first Test.

At stumps, India made 44 for two, expanding its overall lead to 193 with only a day left for the match.

Earlier, India wrapped up Bangladesh's first innings for 238, gaining a 149-run first innings lead. India declared its first innings on 387-8.

Tailender Mashrafee Bin Mortaza notched up a fine 79 _ his maiden Test half century _ to help the hosts avoid a follow-on.

Mortaza shared a 77-run ninth wicket stand _ a record for Bangladesh _ with another tailender Shahadat Hossain (31). He struck seven boundaries and three sixes in his 91-run knock.

Hossain jolted India's second innings by grabbing the wicket of opener Wasim Zafar for a duck _ his second in the match. He then dismissed captain Rahul Dravid for two, caught by Rajin Saleh.

Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, unbeaten on 24, and Dinesh Karthik, not out on 15, steadied the faltering Indian innings before bad light stopped play early at Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong.

Debutant Romesh Powar snared two wickets, while Zaheer Khan and Tendulkar grabbed one each as India dominated the match.

Mortaza was batting on 33, with Hossain on one before tea break.

R.P. Singh removed opener Javed Omar lbw for seven. In the next ball he had captain Habibul Bashar caught beautifully by second slip fielder Sachin Tendulkar for a duck. He also dismissed top-order batsman Mohammad Ashraful for five.

Shahriar Nafees, who struck a fine 32 off 56 balls, edged a Khan outswinger to Tendulkar at second slip, reducing Bangladesh to 47-3.

V.R.V Singh bowled Shakib Al Hasan (27) and Mortaza (79) and dismissed Khaled Mashud lbw for two runs.

Powar dismissed Rajin Saleh, caught by Saurav Ganguly on 41. He also removed Mohammad Rafique (9), stumped by Mohindra Dhoni.

Earlier, pacemen Mashrafee Bin Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain gave Bangladesh a fine start on the fourth day, after rains washed out the entire third day's play.

Resuming at 384 for six, India added just three runs, losing two quick wickets.

Dhoni was out without adding to his overnight score of 36, caught by Omar off Mortaza. Shahadat Hossain removed Khan for a duck. Overnight batsman Anil Kumble (1) retired hurt.