The Indians are likely to field their first team when they take on Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in the second and final warm-up game on Monday with the focus on the fitness of their fast bowlers ahead of the four-match Test series, starting on December 26.
With the injury scare to Ishant Sharma, who is likely to be rested, the focus will be on Zaheer Khan — also returning from injury after playing just a couple of Ranji matches.
While the bone of contention in the Indian ranks would be about how well Ishant Sharma's injured ankle is shaping up, the Australian team management would be keeping a tab on the form of Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja before the real action begins.
The team sources insist it would be a precautionary rest for Ishant but at best the issue on his availability is likely to linger till the morning of the first Test in Melbourne on December 26.
In the first practice game (which was not a first-class match), Indian bowlers were taken to the cleaners by Tom Cooper and Co. as the Chairman's XI scored 398.
However, Sachin Tendulkar's fluent 92 and V.V.S. Laxman's half century have given assurances to the visitor.
All eyes on Zaheer
All eyes will also be on Zaheer Khan who is back in the team after proving his match-fitness in two Ranji Trophy games against Odisha and Saurashtra.
It is particularly to counter Zaheer's swing that Australians have ordered a batting camp. Zaheer's presence would also offer the Australians an insight into how their young batsmen are ready for the challenge of swing.
The left-arm paceman was all too eager to measure and bowl for close to half an hour over two spells during the intense practice session. For a long time, he kept testing the skills of Virender Sehwag.
The Delhi dasher had to summon all his concentration to counter Zaheer and on one occasion even shouted down the noise from a considerable crowd of Indian supporters who had gathered around the nets.
Zaheer is fitter and leaner and looking to last through an entire summer of Australia which he has never been able to do over two previous visits.
Young Abhimanyu Mithun also appeared eager and enthused and rapped Sehwag a number of times on his pads. He also induced edges which seemed to upset Sehwag.
