Australia have set India a record run chase of 305 in the series-opening one-day clash in Pune.
George Bailey and Aaron Finch led the charge for the tourists, posting contrasting half-centuries to lift Australia to 8-304 on Sunday.
India’s previous highest successful chase against Australia came in Visakhapatnam in 2010, when they mowed down Australia’s target of 290.
After Finch’s aggressive 72 off 79 shot the tourists off to a quick start, his skipper provided a more composed response before picking up the pace late to finish with 85 off 82.
And just as Finch was Australia’s leader for the second game running, so too did India find inspiration from their man-of-the-match from Thursday’s Twenty20 game, Yuvraj Singh.
Yuvraj was at the centre of everything for the home side – taking 2-34 and effecting a sharp run-out to halt Australia’s charge early.
Finch repeated his strong form from last Thursday’s Twenty20 clash, again providing the backbone for the Australian innings.
Following on from his outstanding 89 in the six-wicket T20 loss, Finch again went after the Indian attack for an impressive 72.
The powerful right-hander blasted three sixes and eight fours in his 79-ball innings to propel Australia to an opening stand of 110 with Phil Hughes.
By contrast, Bailey kept the ball on the ground for much of his innings – hitting ten boundaries – before being caught in the deep off Ravi Ashwin (2-55) when he did attempt to put the ball into the crowd.
Hughes (47 off 52) looked in command, cutting with vigour, before being caught at leg slip off Ravindra Jadeja (1-35) with a half-century beckoning.
His dismissal was quickly followed by that of the experienced Shane Watson (2) who holed out to long on to leave Australia 2-113.
Glenn Maxwell (31) offered a typical cameo effort, blasting two sixes in his 23-ball innings, while Brad Haddin (10) and Adam Voges (7) provided less fireworks.
Allrounder James Faulkner gave an inkling into the sort of target which is achievable on a docile wicket when he blasted 27 off 22 to push Australia’s score past 300 in the dying overs.