Second day`s play between India and Leicestershire washed out

Leicester: Inclement weather played spoilsport as it prevented a single bowl from being bowled during the second day`s play in the opening tour fixture between India and Leicestershire, here on Friday.

India were comfortably placed at 333 for four at the end of first day`s play with Shikhar Dhawan (60), Gautam Gambhir (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (57), all scoring half-centuries. Rohit Sharma (43 batting)and Ajinkya Rahane (47 batting) also were close to 50-run mark Heavy overnight and morning showers put paid to any chances of the game starting on time during the morning session. The weather did improve during the post-lunch session as the ground staff tried their best to get some play on the day. But more rain later in the afternoon made sure that the second day was abandoned robbing the Indian bowlers a chance to get some quality match time like their batsmen got on the first day. The tour game was not accorded First-Class status as the visitors named all 18 players for the match. Eleven batsmen were nominated to bat and the top-order made good use of the dry conditions as also an ordinary Leicestershire attack to spend time in the middle. Only, Dhawan`s retirement was forced in comparison to others` as he was hit on his right arm by left-arm medium-pacer Atif Sheikh and went off as a precautionary measure. But there was no further cause for concern as the left-handed opener was up and about on the second day and took part in the indoor net session even as rain prevented any on-field action. India will be hoping for dry weather on the third and final day of the game, allowing their young and inexperienced attack get a feel of the English conditions. However, the forecast for Saturday is a mix of dry and wet weather-spells throughout.