Paceman Ishant Sharma scalped three wickets to brighten his prospects for a berth in the team for the third Test but it was an unexpected name that stole the limelight on the second day of the three-day tie between the tourists and ACT Eleven at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Friday.
John Rogers, a little-known 20-year-old batsman, struck a fine 98 and held the attention as the hosts finished the penultimate day at 292 for eight.
John's better known namesake, Chris Rogers, appeared to have done enough to take the opener's spot for Australia in the Perth Test if Matthew Hayden was to pull out because of a thigh injury.
Chris Rogers did not quite score as big as John but his 60 off 92 balls with five fours was a fine hand.
The day began with the tall, gangling Ishant Sharma making early inroads into the hosts' batting, accounting for three quick successes to have them reeling at 83 for three.
Sharma bowled with spirit and purpose on a largely flat wicket to account for Ed Cowan (14), Johanthan Dean (0) and Mark Higgs (1).
Things only became worse when Chris Rogers fell leg before to Harbhajan Singh, trying to sweep a fullish delivery, having made 60 in the team total of 100 for four.
John Rogers then took charge and carried out a belligerent attack as the Indians wilted in the heat.
He put on 74 runs for the fifth wicket with Randall Starr (27) and 67 runs for the sixth wicket with James Crosthwaite (27).
John Rogers was dismissed when he cut RP Singh uppishly to deep point for 98, having batted for 247 minutes, faced 189 balls and hit 12 fours.
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Day 1 report: Jaffer, Dravid help India back on track
On the evidence of the day's play, Ishant Sharma seems to have booked his place for the Perth game as the new ball partner to R P Singh.
But the rest of the three - Irfan Pathan, Pankaj Singh and VRV Singh - were wicketless, making the choice of a support seamer at Perth difficult for the Indians.
As things stand, Pathan should get a nod for Perth because of his experience and better batting ability.
He also picked up a wicket in the dying minutes of the second day's play to further his claims.
Indians (Ist Innings) 325 for 9 decl
ACT XI (Ist Innings):
Chris Rogers lbw b Harbhajan 60
Ed Cowan b Sharma 14
Jonathan Dean lbw b Sharma 0
Mark Higgs c Karthik b Sharma 1
John Rogers c VRV Singh b RP Singh 98
Randall Starr lbw b RP Singh 27
James Crosthwaite st Kaarthick b Sehwag 27
Adam Ritchard b Pathan 15
Richard Sherlock batting 11
Luke Swards batting 4
Extras (B-10, LB-12, W-2, NB-11) 35
Total (for eight wkts, 93 overs) 292
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-45, 3-83, 4-100, 5-174, 6-241, 7-269, 8-285
Bowling: Irfan Pathan 18-3-56-1, Ishant Sharma 11-4-26-3, Pankaj Singh 14-2-36-0, VRV Singh 11-0-39-0, Harbhajan Singh 13-1-37-1, Virender Sehwag 11-1-37-1, RP Singh 9-2-16-2, Yuvraj Singh 5-0-21-0.
