Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten half-century Monday as India's batting stars failed on a rain-interrupted opening day of a three-day tour match against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The young right-hander finished the day unbeaten on 55 off 93 balls as the tourists reached 162 for four off 50 overs in their final match ahead of the opening Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. At stumps Rohit Sharma was 38 not out after being dropped on his first ball. But while Kohli and Sharma shared an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 78 off 104 balls, India's front-line batsmen Virender Sehwag (12), Gautam Gambhir (24) and VVS Laxman (15) all missed out on a big score ahead of the MCG Test. Sehwag lasted only 12 balls before falling in the day's fourth over. Fellow opener Gambhir batted for 87 minutes before he was bowled out by Jason Behrendorff as he attempted to work the ball only to miss. Laxman was also out bowled after he tried to work a Jon Holland ball to the leg-side. Ajinkya Rahane was the fourth Indian wicket to fall for 15, caught by Australian Test batsman Usman Khawaja at slip off Josh Lalor for 15 off 35 balls. George (1-42), Behrendorff (1-8), Lalor (1-9) and Holland (1-37) all kept things tight for the Chairman's team. No play was possible before lunch after overnight and morning rain and there was another lengthy stoppage in the afternoon. Tendulkar has a ‘helper' A cricket enthusiast listed in the Indian touring squad as an “attendant” is helping Sachin Tendulkar prepare for India's quest to win their first Test series in Australia, reports said Monday. DVGI Raghavindraa has never played first-class cricket but what he lacks in playing expertise he makes up for with enthusiasm and his presence in Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald said. Raghavindraa is being used on tour for his throw-down skills in the practice nets and the Herald said he has come with strong recommendations from Tendulkar and fellow Indian batsman Rahul Dravid. The newspaper said Raghavindraa, 27, is listed as an “attendant” on a Board of Control for Cricket in India news release, and is an employee at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. A Herald reporter watched Raghavindraa during a Sunday net session with Tendulkar at Canberra's Manuka Oval in which he threw balls at the batting maestro for an hour. Raghavindraa helped Tendulkar prepare for the barrage of out-swingers he is likely to receive from Australia's rising pace star James Pattinson ahead of the opening Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Dec. 26.
