India won the toss and elected to bat against Victoria in their rain-delayed three-day practice match at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on Thursday.

The Indians decided to rest regular skipper Anil Kumble [Images] in their only warm-up match ahead of the four-Test series against Australia, starting on December 26 at Melbourne.

Vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] will lead the side in Kumble's absence. Virender Sehwag [Images] was also left out, while rookie pacer Pankaj Singh was drafted into the playing XI.

Meanwhile, Victoria is also without their regular skipper Brad Hodge, who is nursing a back problem. David Hussey will captain the side in place of Hodge.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain & w/k), Wasim Jaffer [Images], Rahul Dravid [Images], V V S Laxman [Images], Sachin Tendulkar [Images], Sourav Ganguly [Images], Yuvraj Singh [Images], Irfan Pathan [Images], RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Pankaj Singh.

Victoria: David Hussey (captain), Nick Jewell, Rob Quiney, Aiden Blizzard, Aaron Finch, Andrew McDonald, Matthew Wade (w/k), John Hastings, Peter Siddle, Bryce McGain, Allan Wise.