Ajinkya Rahane and James Pattinson dominated day one of a three day tour match between the Indians and Australia A, with the former bailing his side out from a potential batting embarrassment.<\/p>\n
Rahane, who will replace Virat Kohli as captain after the Adelaide Test, looked in sublime touch at Drummoyne Oval, not out on 108 as the Indians went to stumps at 8-237.<\/p>\n
India's promising openers, Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill, both fell for ducks after Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first.<\/p>\n
But, as he has done so often, No 3 Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the innings with 54 off 140 balls and formed a 76 run partnership with Rahane.<\/p>\n
Pattinson, fighting to crack Australia's XI for the first Test in Adelaide, was the pick of the bowlers with 3-58 from 19 overs.<\/p>\n
Australia A captain Travis Head (2-24) and Michael Neser (2-51) were also among the wickets while emerging all-rounder Cameron Green (0-9) impressed with his pace and bounce in eight overs.<\/p>\n
"Cameron Green was on restrictions but I saw enough to see he's going to be something special," said Brad Haddin in commentary for Fox Cricket.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Head said he was impressed by how late Rahane and Pujara played and was relieved to dismiss the latter with a leg slip trap.<\/p>\n
"It ebbed and flowed, they made us work for it," Head said.<\/p>\n
"But the way we started and with the second newy (ball)… it was a good all-round day.<\/p>\n
"We worked him (Pujara) over for a while there and he played pretty well.<\/p>\n
"But nice to see the back of him and not let him bat for too long.<\/p>\n
"It's nice when they come off.<\/p>\n
"(Pattinson) bowled beautifully, his energy, a great length and was able to make some crucial breakthroughs."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rahane has the daunting task of replacing Kohli when the skipper returns to India for the birth of his first child.<\/p>\n
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh spoke recently about the differences between the two men.<\/p>\n
"He's very calm and composed, not so expressive," Singh said of Rahane.<\/p>\n
"He's very different to Virat Kohli.<\/p>\n
"I would like to remind Rahane that he doesn't need to change his game or personality.<\/p>\n
"Looking at a personality like Virat, Rahane might think that he has to adopt some of it to beat Australia.<\/p>\n
"But I don't think that's necessary.<\/p>\n
"All Rahane needs to do is be himself and make sure he gets the best out of his team.<\/p>\n
"Virat has an unbelievable record in Australia, something every batsman aspires.<\/p>\n
"So definitely India is going to miss Kohli in the batting unit.<\/p>\n
"Then his experience as captain.<\/p>\n
"His aggression, leading from the front, that is Virat Kohli.<\/p>\n
"He always puts his best foot forward.<\/p>\n
"His body language, his intent… India is going to miss him."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"