INDIA had to settle for a draw from their tour match with Essex after rain forced the game to be abandoned on Friday afternoon.

The Chelmsford-based side had declared on 359 for eight, as Paul Walter's 75 frustrated the tourists.

India had begun their second innings 36 runs ahead.

However, the players were forced off in the 22nd over at the County Ground with India 89 for two.

India are preparing to face England in the first of their three-game Test series at Edgbaston, which starts on Wednesday.

They lost their one-day series 2-1, having beaten England 2-1 in the T20 games.

Essex resumed on 237 for five on day three and James Foster was the first to fall, playing on to Umesh Yadav's delivery to walk for 42.

Walter continued to frustrate the tourists before he was caught by Ajinkya Rahane off the bowling of Ishant Sharma

Essex declared when Matt Coles was dismissed without scoring, allowing India to start their chase.

They had reached 89 for two with KL Rahul (36) and Rahane (19) both unbeaten, having seen Shikhar Dhawan dismissed by Matthew Quinn without scoring and Cheteshwar Pujara caught behind for 23.

Quinn finished with figures of one for five with Walter one for 38.