20 Dec 2011

Indians struggle for runs

6:00 am on 20 December 2011

The Indian batters struggled for runs on a rain-affected day one of their practice match against an Australian chairman's eleven in Canberra.

India won the toss and chose to bat first at Manuka Oval but were quickly reduced to 84 for four after the start of play in the three-day match was hit by a near three-hour rain delay.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma later steadied the ship with an unbeaten 78-run stand to guide India to 162 for four at stumps.

The Indians are without Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Ishant Sharma for this match.

The Chairman's elevn includes a number of Australian batsmen eager to prove themselves with a big score. Captain David 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.... Usman Khawaja is also in the lineup.

The first test is at the MCG starting on Boxing Day.