The pace duo of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma got some vital bowling practice before the Indians' three-day warm-up match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI ended in a draw in Canberra on Wednesday.
Needing 146 runs to win from 30 overs, Chairman's XI made 100 for no loss in their second innings with Test discards Phil Hughes (42) and Usman Khawaja (56) serving a point to the selectors.
Regular Test opener David Warner didn't come out to bat in the second innings, troubled as he was with back pain.
Earlier, the Indians declared their second innings at 90 for 2 after the hosts, on their part, had declared the first innings at the overnight score of 214 for 7.
The two teams decided at the start of the day that they would bat for 30 overs each in their second innings in order to wrap up the game early.
Indians would carry mixed feelings from the final day's play as opener Virender Sehwag (8) failed for the second time in the match but heart-warming sight for the tourists was the five-over each spell by new-ball bowlers, Zaheer and Ishant.
While Sharma was laid low on the first morning of the two-day game against Chairman's XI last week, after bowling only 5.3 overs, troubled by his left ankle, Zaheer, at best, had bowled only gingerly in the nets and in the ongoing match.
{{/usCountry}}While Sharma was laid low on the first morning of the two-day game against Chairman's XI last week, after bowling only 5.3 overs, troubled by his left ankle, Zaheer, at best, had bowled only gingerly in the nets and in the ongoing match.
{{/usCountry}}It must be said that both Zaheer and Ishant bowled within themselves, never going full blast.