20 December,2011 07:28 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
On a rain-marred, start-stop day, a rumour on Fox Sports claimed that the Indian management was contemplating calling off the second warm-up game against CA Chairman's XI yesterday, and head to Melbourne earlier than schedule, for next week's Boxing Day Test.
Virat Kohli in full flow during Day One of the warm-up match against
CA Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra yesterday. Pic/Getty images
But, that was only a rumour. After numerous interruptions, play went on till 19:00 in the evening, the visitors batted out 50 overs, drawing stumps on 162-4. The two batsmen vying for the elusive No 6 spot in the orderu00a0-- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharmau00a0-- competed shot-per-shot, the vocal crowd enjoyed a beautiful display of batsmanship from the young duo. While Kohli stroked it flawlessly through the 'V', Rohit cleared the squares to perfection.
Rohit Sharma
The highlight perhaps came when Rohit cleared left-arm spinner John Holland for a massive six over the extra cover fence. Being his typically matured self in the post-match media briefing, Virat dismissed any competition with the Mumbai batsman: "We know that we are going to play together in the future, so I don't see any competition.
"It is just a matter of who gets to play when, who gets into that zone and scores runs," he said. "We (Rohit and himself) have had good stands together. It's good for Indian cricket," he added. Earlier, openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag ran quick singles to get India off to a positive start.
Sehwag used Peter George's extra bounce to good effect, playing the trademark flick-off-the-hip. Both perished quickly and one-drop Ajinkya Rahane failed again, caught by Usman Khawaja at slip off Josh Lalor for 15. VVS Laxman looked in ominous touch until Holland sneaked one through his pads.
