Rohan Gavaskar and Dinesh Karthik cracked unbeaten half-centuries as India 'A' got themselves into a comfortable position on the opening day of the four-day cricket match against Zimbabwe Select XI in Harare on Thursday.

After captain Sairaj Bahutule (4 for 27) led the bowling attack to restrict the hosts to 152 in the first innings, India 'A' shrugged off a poor start to close the first day at 133 for three at the Harare Sports Club.

The cheap dismissals of the top three batsmen – Dhiraj Jadhav (6), Gautam Gambhir (5) and S Sriram (0) – brought Gavaskar and Karthik together at 26 for three and the pair batted solidly to set the team on course for a huge first innings lead.

Gavaskar (batting 57) and Karthik (52 not out) have so far added 107 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.

Seamer T Panyangara did the early damage in the visitors' innings, claiming all the three wickets with some impressive bowling.

Earlier, put in to bat, the Select XI lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 152 in 58.1 overs.

Avishkar Salvi and S S Paul removed the openers before a double strike by Amit Bhandari reduced the hosts to 41-4.

A 46-run partnership between Test players Mark Vermeulen (23) and M Matsikenyeri (28) stemmed the rot briefly before Bahutule and Romesh Powar (2-30) ripped through the line-up.

Scores:

Select XI: 152 all out in 58.1 overs (C Chibhabha 41, M Matsikenyeri 28, MVermeulen 23; Bahutule 4-27, Powar 2-30, Bhandari 2-38).

India 'A': 133 for three in 31 overs (R Gavaskar batting 57, D Karthik batting 52; Panyangara 3-30).