Menaria puts India in position of command

Having already logged nine points from two matches Indians will be aiming to finish with another outright win.

Menaria, who had the distinction of scoring three back-to-back tons in Ranji Trophy for Rajasthan (quarters, semis and final), blasted 94 with the help of 12 boundaries and four huge sixes. He was severe on left-arm spinner Michael Beer (0/49 in 6 overs) who had played in an Ashes Test last summer.

He was ably supported by Rahane (71 batting) who hit 11 boundaries and looks good for another three-figure mark. The Indians are now 15 shy of taking the first-innings lead.

Earlier, the Australian Institute for Sports lost their last eight wickets for 50 runs after Nic Maddinson (82) and Sam Whiteman (53) added 107 runs for the second wicket.

Electing to field, India’s fastest new-ball bowler Varun Aaron grabbed four for forty to cause maximum damage in company of left-arm seamer Jaidev Unadkat, who scalped three for 47, as the duo snared seven wickets between them to dismiss AIS for 205 in 64.4 overs.