India must score 351 runs if they are to stand any chance of winning their ongoing one-day international series with Australia.
The hosting Indians won the toss and elected to bowl first in Nagpur.
It looked to be a shrewd decision when the Aussies lost the wickets of openers Phil Hughes (13) and Aaron Finch (20) early on.
However, all-rounder Shane Watson and captain George Bailey steadied the away side's innings. Watson made 102 from 94 deliveries before he was bowled by Mohammed Shami, but it was Bailey that produced the top score.
His 156-run contribution came off 114 balls and he was only removed in the final over by Virat Kohli, who caught the batsman in the deep off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.
A speedy 44 from Adam Voges helped the Aussies beyond the 300 mark and they eventually ended their 50 overs on 350-6.