India's preparations for the first Test against South Africa suffered a setback on Friday when rain and a wet outfield prevented any play on the first day of a two-day match against a South African Invitation XI at Willowmoore Park.
With the outfield wet after heavy rain last week, and more expected, the umpires took an early decision to call off play for the day.
The first of two Test matches starts at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
With the tour having been shortened after the Indian board refused to accept the itinerary announced by South Africa, the two-day match was the only fixture scheduled between a three-match one-day series and the Tests.
India's batsmen are desperately short of match practice in South African conditions. India were beaten in the first two one-day games and bowled out for 217 and 146, with captain MS Dhoni the only man to hit a half-century. A thunderstorm prevented India batting in the third and final ODI.
The Invitation XI match was originally due to start on Saturday but it was brought forward by a day to avoid a clash with Nelson Mandela's funeral on Sunday.
Sunshine is predicted for Saturday morning with thunderstorms possible for late morning and the afternoon.
