Konstas sparkles as Gill and Rohit return for India

Sam Konstas has put himself back in Test contention with a sparkling century against India. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Sam Konstas has made clear he is hungry for more chances to represent Australia, after slamming a 90-ball century against a Test-quality India attack for the Prime Minister's XI.

In a sparkling three-hour display of power and creativity, Konstas hit 107 from 96 on Sunday before India claimed a first-innings victory in the rain-affected match.

Shubman Gill retired on 50 in his comeback from a broken thumb for India, as the tourists surpassed the PM's XI's 240 and finished 5-257 at Manuka Oval.

Rohit Sharma was also only able to face 11 balls on his first innings of the tour before being dismissed, after first-Test hero Yashasvi Jaiswal struck 45 up top.

But while the fixture was meant to serve as a pink-ball warm-up game for India ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, it was Konstas who stole the show.

Sam Konstas.
Konstas displayed a vast array of shots in a blistering ton to remind Test selectors of his worth.

After the opening day was washed out and more rain hit early on Sunday, both sides agreed to make the scheduled two-day match a 46-over affair. 

And Konstas took it as a licence to thrill, against an India side missing only Jasprit Bumrah from the attack that steamrolled Australia's Test top order in Perth.

The 19-year-old smashed 14 fours in his knock, in a powerful display of drives, pulls, slogs, scoop shots and advances down the wicket to the quicks.

Konstas also hooked Harshit Rana for a huge six to bring up his 50, taking India's seam-bowling debutant from Perth to the cleaners.

Such was Konstas' power, he went from 13 to 76 in 38 balls, after launching an all-out assault on an Indian attack boasting seven players with Test experience.

He then reined in his hitting as Rana sparked a PM's XI collapse of 5-7, before Konstas helped stablise the innings alongside ACT local Hanno Jacobs (61).

KL Rahul.
KL Rahul made 27 retired as one of several Indian batters to spend time facing the pink ball.

Konstas shot into Test contention in October when he became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to hit twin tons in a Sheffield Shield game.

But while the young prodigy missed Test selection there have still been glimpses of his talent last month, including an unbeaten 73 for Australia A against India A.

"I'm just trying to keep scoring runs, and it was a great opportunity today," Konstas said. 

"See what happens in the future and hopefully I can represent my country.

"It's been good learning from the likes of Steve Smith, Scott Boland and Jack Edwards. 

"Learning from the bigger guys and trying to make my game a bit better and try to reach that next level."

Asked if Sunday's innings was a message to selectors with pressure on Australia's Test top order, Konstas responded: "not really.

"I feel like I am in a good head space and whatever happens happens. 

"Hopefully I can keep scoring runs and maybe one day I can represent my country."

Konstas' runs came after Matt Renshaw missed his chance to impress, caught in the slips early off Mohammed Siraj for five. 

With the ball, Scott Boland got through 10 overs for the PM's XI, before being set to join Australia's camp in Adelaide on Monday. 

He is expected to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood in the Test side.

Boland had Jaiswal  in trouble early with the pink ball in the difficult dusk hour, but finished with 0-36.

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