India show promising signs in second warm-up game ahead of first Test against Australia
Adelaide, Dec 5 - The second and final two-day tour game before India's first Test against Australia ended in a draw with the Indians well in control of the proceedings at the Gliderol Stadium on Friday.
India posted 375 in reply to Cricket Australia (CA) XI's first innings score of 243 and reduced the hosts to 83/5 in their second innings before the match was called off.
Frontline batsmen Murali Vijay (60), Virat Kohli (66) and Ajinkya Rahane (56) all hit half-centuries before being retired out, as the Indian batters got vital batting practice ahead of the first Test starting on December 9. Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha was also among the runs, hitting 51.
India reached 4-236 at lunch on Friday with Vijay and Kohli sharing a 123-run stand, steadying India's innings after the visitors slumped to 36/2 on day one. After the duo's departure, another leading batsman in Rohit Sharma also fine-tuned himself with a solid knock of 48.
The Indian bowlers then continued their impressive first innings form, dismissing the top half of the hosts' batting line-up in just 21 overs, while conceding 83 runs.
All four bowlers were among wickets with Ishant Sharma leading the charge, claiming two wickets for eight runs in his five overs.
The only bright spot for CA XI was opening batsman Jordan Silk, who was unbeaten on 41 after scoring 58 in the first innings.
Brief Scores: Cricket Australia XI 243 and 83/5 (Jordan Silk 41 not out, Ishant Sharma 2/8)
India 375 (Murali Vijay 60, Virat Kohli 66 and Ajinkya Rahane 56)