Jaffer, who struck eight fours and two sixes during his 191-ball innings, fell just before the break, leaving Rahul Dravid (48) and Yuvraj Singh (0) at the crease.

While Jaffer enhanced his chances of getting picked for the third Test against Australia in Perth, the other opening contenders in the team -- Virender Sehwag (24) and Dinesh Kaarthick (25) -- looked out of touch.

Sehwag scratched his way to 24 from 49 balls with one four against a nondescript home attack before driving wildly at a delivery and getting caught overhead in the slips.

Sehwag's innings was characterised by umpteen swishes, which connected little.

Kaarthick, however, appeared in better form before he slashed a delivery, which rose more than he expected.

Jaffer then took over and played several typically graceful cover drives and flicks during his four-hour innings.

Dravid -- the other Test opener in this series -- came to bat at number four and with the clear intent of having a go at most deliveries.

Dravid's unbeaten 48 came in 75 balls and was studded with six fours.

Jaffer holed out to mid-on just before the tea break off left-arm spinner Mark Higgs.