New Delhi: Team India's warm-up game against Kwazulu Natal XI started on a steady note as the visitors progressed to 271 for the loss of six wickets at stumps against Kwazulu Natal XI on Day I in Durban on Friday.

 

Gambhir and captain Rahul Dravid, the two not out batsmen went on to steady the Indian ship and beyond as they dug in and got runs for the side in a short two-day, two innings game. Gambhir replaced Sachin Tendulkar for the game.

 

The Indian opening stand was once again shortived as Wasim Jaffer who has hit a bad patch since his stupendous outing in West Indies, got out for just two as the Indians were 23 for one.

 

Gautam Gambhir, who was given his first game on the tour came in at No 3 and held the anchor with partner Virender Sehwag for another 26 runs, before Sehwag departed for a quickfire 40 from 46 balls.

 

The game was delayed for over an hour before its start due to overnight rains, and a heavy outfield made it tough work for the Indian batsmen in the middle.

 

Sehwag's flamboyance did manage to rope in some hits to the fence, but the Indians had to dig deep to see them through to lunch without any further hiccups.

 

Gambhir was his usual agressive self in the middle, striking lusty blows to the fence including one that went all the way as he went on to reach a 50, while Dravid at the other end seemed nonchalant with characteristic grit. He however, retired for 79, not due to injury, but to let the following batsmen take guard in the two-day game.

 

Dravid later on retired to the pavilion after scoring 38.

 

While VVS Laxman could not continue his heroics of the first Test through to this game, he was out for four after a long ordeal of 26 balls.

 

Sourav Ganguly impressed with a neat 41, striking four boundaries and a six during his stay and was unbeaten when stumps was called.

 

Irfan Pathan scored a run-a-ball 15 brfore being dismissed, while Dinesh Karthik, who was in the team for Mahendra Singh Dhoni could score just 12.

 

Anil Kumble chipped in with a tough 23 to support Ganguly during a decent partnership. Harbhajan Singh was the other not out batsman with Ganguly at the end of the day's play.