England captain Michael Vaughan will sit out of the three-day tour match against an Indian Board President's XI starting on Thursday due to the recurrence of a knee problem.
Marcus Trescothick, leading the side in Vaughan's absence, won the toss and opted to bat.
"Vaughan is not playing this match as a precautionary measure," England spokesman Andrew Walpole told reporters.
"It is a recurrence of the knee problem he had in Pakistan," Walpole said. "He felt stiffness in the right knee, and will continue treatment throughout the day. Hopefully he'll be fit for the first Test."
Vaughan missed the first Test in Pakistan last year due to the knee injury. He played the remaining two Tests, but missed the one-day series to return home for surgery.
Fast bowler Simon Jones and off spinner Shaun Udal were unavailable due to a stomach virus, while all rounder Paul Collingwood has a back problem.
The first Test begins in Nagpur on March 1.
England last won a Test series in India in 1984-85.
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