Opener Cowan reached an unbeaten 42 as Australia went to lunch at 1-81 on day one of their two-day game against an Indian Board President’s XI.

Usman Khwaja (32) and Cowan shared an opening stand of 77 on Tuesday at the tree-lined Guru Nanak College Ground in Chennai.

Legspinner Sarabjit Ladda struck in his first over five minutes before lunch as left-hander Khawaja swept a ball to deep mid-wicket after hitting five boundaries from 73 deliveries.

Captain Matthew Wade is yet to score while Cowan is looking composed and has hit seven fours.

It has been a confidence-boosting knock for Cowan who is expected to hold his spot for the first Test on February 22.

Allrounder Shane Watson’s decision to play as a specialist batsman in the India series has re-opened the debate over whether Watson should be shifted back to opener alongside David Warner.

The pitch is offering little for the quicks although offspinner Parvez Rassol and the leggie Ladda have caused the batsmen some anxious moments.

Australia’s team masseur Grant Baldwin, a former Victoria 2nd XI player, is the 12th man for the tourists.

Nineteen-year-old spinner Ashton Agar, from Western Australia, has been included in the side and will remain with the squad as a net bowler in the build-up to the first Test.

Xavier Doherty, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Phil Hughes arrived on Monday night and are likely to play in the three-day game starting on February 16.

Skipper Michael Clarke and Warner, who are recovering from a sore hamstring and a fractured thumb respectively, are due to arrive on Tuesday night.