The Indian team under Subramaniam Badrinath [ Images ] began their campaign with a bang, crushing local favourites Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) by six wickets in their first match of the Emerging Players Twenty20 [ Images ] Tournament in Brisbane [ Images ] on Monday.

After restricting the locals to a modest 101 for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs, the Mumbai [ Images ] duo of Ajinkya Rahane [ Images ] (43 not out) and Abhishek Nayar [ Images ] (30) guided India [ Images ] to 102 for four in 18.3 overs to complete a facile victory.

Rahane was unbeaten after a sedate 55-ball 43 that had just three fours in it. Nayar chipped in with a contrasting 19-ball 30 studded with five fours.

Opting to bat first, the Australians had an ominous start as Sudeep Tyagi [ Images ] caught Rob Quiney off his first delivery and the locals eventually slumped to 24 for four inside seven overs.

Tom Cooper stood tall amid ruins with a heroic 57-ball 63 that was studded with six fours and two sixes but none of his team-mates managed double digit scores as the Australians somehow crawled past the 100-mark.

India's chase was far from smooth as Murali Vijay [ Images ] (0), Badrinath (2) and Virat Kohli [ Images ] (7) were cooling their heels inside eight overs as the visitors slumped to 19 for three.

Rahane, however, found a perfect foil in fellow Mumbaikar Nayar and the duo forged a 50-run stand to steady the ship.

Even though Nayar fell in the 14th over, R Ashwin (15 not out) and Rahane ensured there was no further hiccups.

India play South Africa [ Images ] in the next match at this venue.

Brief scores:

Australian Institute of Sports: 101 for 7 in 20 overs (Tom Cooper 63 not out; Sudeep Tyagi 2-15, Pradeep Sangwan 2-20).

India Emerging: 102 for 4 in 18.3 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 43 not out, Abhishek Nayar 30; Peter George 2-9).