India A reached 1-88 at lunch on day one of the three-day match against Australia, although Xavier Doherty offered a gentle reminder to selectors he’s available for the first Test.

India A won the toss in sunny conditions at Chennai’s Guru Nanak College Ground on a pitch which offered assistance to the spinners even during the first session.

India A skipper Gautam Gambhir, who has been dropped from the Test squad, was unbeaten on 42 at lunch.

Gambhir added 67 for the first wicket with uncapped 22-year-old Jiwanjot Singh who was caught at slip for 24 off the bowling of left-armer Doherty.

Doherty is one of three frontline spinners in Australia’s side for their final warm-up game ahead of next Friday’s first Test in Chennai.

Offspinner Nathan Lyon has taken 0-46 from 10 overs while 19-year-old left-armer Ashton Agar is yet to bowl in the match.

Uncapped right-hander Rohit Sharma is 16 not out.

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke (hamstring) and opener David Warner (thumb) have been rested from the three-day game because of injury concerns ahead of the first Test.

Clarke and other members of the squad did fielding drills on the field during the lunch break on Saturday.

Players’ thoughts briefly turned to off-field matters in the second over when a fire broke out in a shed about 100 metres behind the change rooms, sending a big cloud of smoke over the training nets area next to where members of Australia’s squad were seated.