India vs Australia: Bowlers Struggle, Vijay Hits Ton and Rahul Finds Form in Tour Game

India's bowlers struggled but the opening batsmen showed signs of form on the final day of the four-day game against Cricket Australia XI in Sydney.

CA XI posted 544 in reply to India's first-innings score of 358, with Harry Nielsen scoring 100. India replied strongly with the bat, ending on 211 for 2 in 43.4 overs when the game ended in a draw. M Vijay made 129 off 132 balls while KL Rahul, who came under the scanner for lack of runs, made 62.

CA XI started the day on 356 for 6, with Nielsen on 56 and Aaron Hardie on 69. Hardie fell for 86, caught behind off Ishant Sharma, but the tail wagged to take CA XI past 500. Nielsen fell for 100 off 170 to Virat Kohli, but Daniel Fallins, Luke Robbins and Jackson Coleman, the No. 9, 10 and 11 respectively, all scored above 35.

India used as many as 10 bowlers, with Mohammed Shami being the most successful with three wickets. R Ashwin got two, while Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav bowled only seven and six balls respectively.

The focus was on India's openers from there on. With Prithvi Shaw ruled out of the game, and the first Test, due to an ankle injury, Vijay got a chance. He grabbed it with both hands with a century.

Rahul too came under criticism for poor form, but he got some runs under his belt too. He hit eight fours and a six in his 98-ball 62. The duo added 109 for the opening wicket before Rahul perished. Vijay carried on; he sensed an opportunity for a century and raced from 74 to 100 in six balls, smashing medium pacer Jake Carder for three fours and two sixes in an over. Overall, Vijay hit 16 fours and five sixes before falling.

The first Test against Australia begins on December 6 in Adelaide.