Karthik hit 129 in his last Test against Bangladesh in May

India's batsmen enjoyed useful time in the middle, compiling 281-3 on the first day of the tour match at Sussex.

Wasim jaffer (12) was the only one to miss out, edging an outswinger from Robin Martin Jenkins in the 17th over.

Dinesh Karthik, also challenging for a Test place, made a composed 76 before he fell in the final over before tea.

Karthik shared 129 in 41 overs with left-hander Gautam Gambhir who made 81, and skipper Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman added a quickfire 75 in 19 overs.

The match began an hour later than normal at 1200 BST as Sussex were involved in Twenty20 action late on Friday evening.

Michael Yardy was able to captain an experiemental Sussex team, having not been required for international duty, and arrived at the ground during the afternoon after making the long journey from Trent Bridge.

Regular skipper Chris Adams and first-team regulars Mushtaq Ahmed, Murray Goodwin, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Luke Wright were all rested after a hectic recent schedule.

Karthik reached his half-century in fine style by driving James Kirtley for four, and twice dispatched him off the back foot to the square cover boundary.

With only our game against England A to follow, it's important for us to get used to the conditions Rahul Dravid

Former Pakistan Test off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, whose British passport arrived on Monday, was making his first-class debut for Sussex and bowled Karthik through the gate with one that turned in as he pushed forward.

Gambhir's 167-ball vigil came to an end 45 minutes after tea when he fell to a return catch by Yardy off a top edge having added 40 in 13 overs for the third wicket with Dravid.

Dravid was reprieved on 11 when he played Yardy firmly to short mid-wicket but Chris Liddle spilled the chance at head height.

Laxman was quickly into his stride, striking two fours in an over from saqlain, while Dravid reached his half century shortly before stumps, striking four fours in his 91-ball innings.

Dravid said: "It was nice to see some sunshine.

"This was what we wanted, it went well because we won the toss, batted on a good wicket and got some runs on the board.

"Now we need to bat for a while before giving our bowlers a chance to sample the conditions.