Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay were among five batsmen to post half centuries as India settled for a draw in its tour-opening match against a Cricket Australia XI. Kohli top-scored with 60 as India posted 363-8 from 91 overs in reply to the Australian invitational team’s 219 in the two-day match at Glenelg, on the coastal fringe of Adelaide. Murali Vijay (51) and Cheteshwar Pujara (55) retired out, while Wriddhiman Saha (56) and Karn Sharma (52) were unbeaten.
Sam Grimwade, a 16-year-old high school student from Melbourne, took 1-61 for the hosts. India has another two-day game starting on Friday to warm up for the four-test series against Australia, which starts on Dec. 4 in Brisbane.
India bowlers impress: Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron was impressive with three-wicket haul on Monday. Aaron (3/72), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/32) and Mohammed Shami (2/52) restricted the home team to 219 all out in 71.5 overs on the first day. Spinners Karn Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin were also among wickets with 2/30 and 1/22, respectively.
