A largely frustrating outing for most of the Indian bowlers was made worse for the team by batting sensation Prithvi Shaw's injury setback on the third day of the tour game against Cricket Australia XI.
Cricket Australia XI were 356/6 in 102 overs at stumps in response to India's 358 all out at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
Opener D'Arcy Short top-scored for the hosts with 74 runs off 91 balls, inclusive of 11 fours. Max Bryant (62), Harry Nielsen (56 not out) and Aaron Hardie (69 not out) were the others to score half-centuries in response to India's first innings' 358 runs.
India didn't start the day two well as the new ball pairing of Umesh Yadav (1-81) and Mohammed Shami (3-67) was taken for runs.
Shami came into his own with the older ball, picking two more wickets during the day's proceedings. Carder was bowled, while Jonathan Merlo (3) was caught behind before tea.
Ashwin though was India's best bowler on the day, at least in terms of control, finishing with figures of 1-63 in 24 overs.
Cricket Australia XI lost four wickets for 21 runs in the second session to reach the tea break at 246-6. Ashwin ran out Param Uppal for 5 runs, while Yadav had Whiteman caught behind for 35.
Ishant Sharma (0-57) and Ravindra Jadeja (0-37) also bowled a couple of spells during the day, but didn't pose any major threats to the batsmen in the 27 overs they sent down.
Nielsen and Hardie defied India with a 122-run stand in the final session.
India tried a few other bowling options with Hanuma Vihari (0-33) and skipper Virat Kohli (0-6) also turning his arm over.