India draws tour match against Chairman's XI

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Sachin Tendulkar sounded a warning to Australia's depleted bowling attack by hitting a stylish 92 before retiring in India's drawn tour match against a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI on Friday.

The two-day match ended prematurely due to rain at Manuka Oval with India on 6-320 in reply to the Chairman's XI's 6-398 declared.

Tendulkar is just one century short becoming the first cricketer to reach the historic milestone of a combined 100 hundreds in tests or limited-overs internationals.

He will get the opportunity to push for the landmark when India faces Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Dec. 26 in the first of four test matches.

After going to lunch at 13 not out Friday, Tendulkar opened up with some free flowing strokes, including 15 boundaries, to show he is still in ominous touch at the age of 38 and on what will likely be his last tour of Australia.

Tendulkar put on a 133-run stand with VVS Laxman, who also retired at tea while on 57 off 76 balls.

Rahul Dravid, who was India captain for the first of the two tour matches against CA Chairman's selections, looked in good touch before he was caught by Peter George at mid-off on 45 after skying a ball by legspinner Cameron Boyce (2-74).

Opening pair Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir shared just 38 runs before Rahane was caught off Jake Haberfield for 3 and Gambhir provided a simple catch to Ryan Broad at short cover off Glenn Maxwell (1-84).

Virat Kohli (1) was caught and bowled by Boyce.

Rohit Sharma was 56 not out when stumps was called. Laxman, who has performed exceptionally well in Australia throughout his career, also looked in impressive touch. He took just 76 balls for his unbeaten stint at the crease and found the fence nine times.

Tom Cooper and Wes Robinson scored centuries and shared a 226-run partnership for the Chairman's XI on Thursday after Dravid won the toss and elected to field.

Indian paceman Ishant Sharma bowled only 5.3 overs and appeared to struggle with an ankle problem as the Indian attack struggled to contain the aggressive batting in their tour opening match against the Australian Chairman's XI on Thursday.

The second tour match against a Chairmans XI starts Monday.