India struggled on day one of its practice match in Canberra, but Doug Bollinger failed to take a wicket for the Chairman's XI in his bid to earn a Test recall on Boxing Day.
Middle-order batsmen Virat Kohli (55 not out) and Rohit Sharma (38 not out) combined for a an unbeaten 78-run stand to save India and steer it to 4 for 162 at stumps after 50 overs.
Monday morning rain delayed the start by two hours and 40 minutes and there was another lengthy stoppage in the afternoon.
The tourists decided not to play their two 38-year-old aces Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid and their remaining stars did not get much time in the middle.
Usually devastating opener Virender Sehwag fell for just 12, Gautam Gambhir for 24 and VVS Laxman was clean bowled for 15.
Bowlers shared the spoils but left-arm Bollinger went 0 for 30 from seven overs.
Bollinger has not worn the baggy green since the Adelaide Ashes Test last December and was looking to impress for Melbourne.
Peter George (1 for 42), Jason Behrendorff (1 for 8), Josh Lalor (1 for 9) and Jon Holland (1 for 37) all kept things pretty tight for the Chairman's team.
Kohli and Rohit Sharma are vying for the one middle-order spot in the Indian line-up and are making the decision difficult for selectors.
Rohit scored an unbeaten half century in the first Chairman's game and looks strong again, while Kohli played beautifully after failing last week.
Chairman's captain David Warner had complained of back soreness since his breakthrough Test ton in Hobart - although that did not stop him from an outstanding unbeaten century in the Big Bash League opener on Saturday night.
Warner left the field to see the physio a couple of times on Monday, but that was just treatment as opposed to further trouble.
Speculation is growing that India will call in a cover player for injured fast bowler Ishant Sharma after he was ruled out of the match.
Officials were hoping Sharma would rest on Monday and be available to play on Tuesday and Wednesday.
However, his ankle injury is worse than the team has been letting on and he cannot take part at all.
He completed just 5.3 overs against a Chairman's XI last week and seems to be in doubt for the Test.
When the Chairman's team get a chance to bat, Warner is listed to open the innings with Ed Cowan, leaving under-pressure Test incumbent Phil Hughes to bat down the order at number four.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia, india First posted December 19, 2011 19:32:25
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