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Ajinkya Rahane hit an unbeaten ton in India's first red-ball tour match as he prepares to replace Virat Kohli as captain after the first Test.

The man slated to replace Virat Kohli as India's captain after the first Test has opened his tour with a century in the visitors' first red-ball warm-up match against Australia A.

Ajinkya Rahane finished unbeaten on 108 on Sunday, as the Indians went to stumps at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval on day one at 8-237.

On a day where James Pattinson reminded selectors he's still up to the challenge, Rahane showed just what Australia is up against once Kohli leaves.

The right-handed Rahane was measured throughout his 227-ball knock, fighting through a tough period early before driving superbly through the covers and cutting nicely when given width.

A captain in waiting, Rahane could well take Kohli's spot at No.4 once the master batsman leaves after the Test in Adelaide for the birth of his first child.

"He takes the game on, he played well today," Travis Head said.

"We know he plays an attacking brand, he takes opportunities when we give them to him.

"Throughout the day it ebbed and flowed with tempos and we were able to create some nice pressure. But he was too good."

Pattinson, meanwhile, finished with figures of 3-58, claiming the big scalps of incumbent opener Prithvi Shaw, Ravichandra Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara.

The quick played in Australia's most recent Test against New Zealand, but has long been stuck behind Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

His wicket of Pujara will raise eyebrows for the hosts, after he had him caught at leg gully on 54.

India's wall with the bat during their tour two years ago, Pujara soaked up 140 balls in his first match in any form since March.

Pujara faced 1258 balls in India's Border-Gavaskar win in 2018-19 - more than double any of the Australians - and batted for more than 22 hours.

He was again happy to occupy the crease, at one stage going 27 balls without scoring in a stretch that would have brought back harsh memories for Tim Paine behind the stumps.

But the fashion in which Pattinson got him was at least reminiscent of the way he went in the Boxing Day Test two years ago.

"I worked closely with Painey out there and tried a few different things," captain Head said.

"At the start we were trying to get him caught behind and caught in the slips.

"You rotate through plans A, B and C and I think a lot determines on who's bowling and what type of wickets we're playing on."

India's only other real concern was the late withdrawal of Rishabh Pant, with what was understood to be neck pain.

Meanwhile, Australian allrounder Cameron Green bowled with plenty of pace and bounce, rushing through at a good height in his 0-9 off eight overs.

Travis Head and Michael Neser also claimed two wickets each, with all eyes now set on Will Pucovski and his chance to impress selectors with the bat on Monday.