India discard Mohd. Kaif struck a useful unbeaten half century (68) to help India 'A' recover from a disastrous start as the hosts reached 180 for four on the first day of the three-day match against Australia 'A' in Bangalore on Wednesday.
Kaif and Virat Kohli, who made his ODI debut in Sri Lanka, shared an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 90 runs after spinner Bryce McGain ripped through the home team top order with a three-wicket burst at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The 36-year-old leg spinner dismissed Robin Uthappa (22), Parthiv Patel (13) and skipper S Badrinath (10) as the visitors gained an early advantage before Kaif and Kohli did the rescue act after the home team opted to bat first.
Coming together when the team was struggling at 90 for four, the Indian duo dug in and steadied the boat, putting on a 90-run unbroken fifth wicket partnership in 31.1 overs.
At stumps on the opening day, India 'A' were 180 for the loss of four wickets in 60 overs after play started only at 1.15 pm following wet ground conditions due to overnight and early morning rains.
Kaif was batting on a 148-ball 68, hitting ten fours and a six and Kohli had faced 101 balls for his unbeaten 48 studded with four boundaries and one six.
It was, however, New South Wales paceman Douglas Bollinger who gave the breakthrough for the tourists, with Mumbai opener A M Rahane (six) giving a catch to Luke Ronchi.
Then came the three-in-a-row by the left-arm wrist spinner, trapping Patel leg before, clean-bowling Badrinath, and making Uthappa hold out to Beau Casson. McGain finished the day with three for 51, and Bollinger one for 37.
S Sreesanth, who had a stiff back, was left out of the India 'A' team while D S Kulkarni made his first class debut.
