India has jumped to the top of the triangular one-day series points table, with a five wicket win over Australia at the MCG.
Chasing just 160, India can thank captain MS Dhoni and 20 year old Rohit Sharma for pulling the visitors out of a hole which saw the visitors slump to 5 for 102 on a trying pitch. The pair batted with intelligence, curbing their natural aggressive instincts, instead patiently nudging singles, waiting for part-timers Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke to be introduced before unleashing their array of attacking strokes.
In the tradition of competitive low scoring matches, the game was pulsating throughout. The match roared to life when India lost three wickets for thirteen runs when they were seemingly cruising at 2 for 89.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting had no option but to attack, knowing his only chance of victory was to claim ten wickets. He held back powerplays and tried to blow the Indians away without using a fifth bowler. Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson toiled manfully, however the lack of runs to defend eventually hurt.
Sachin Tendulkar made a sparkling 44, albeit including the good fortune of surviving a rather convincing caught behind appeal off Clark.
India’s winning position was set up by their pacemen, who gained an early edge over the Australians and refused to surrender their advantage.
The low, slow Melbourne track will give the home side some hope heading into the night session, however a target of 160 will still be considered grossly under par.
Despite losing Adam Gilchrist (0) to a dreadful LBW decision off Sreesanth, the home side were clearly on a mission to stampede the Indian attack. Matt Hayden had Australia pumping at seven runs an over, until he was caught behind off Ishant Sharma for 25. Sharma removed Ricky Ponting, who is fast-becoming a favourite haunt for the spindly quick, for 9.
Michael Clarke struggled to 11, while Andrew Symonds provided Sharma his third scalp, caught behind for 14.
Hussey and Brad Haddin - playing as a batsman only - eased off the pedal. Haddin was bamboozled by Harbhajan, stumped for 5 off 31 balls.
Australia had collapsed to 6 for 92.
Brett Lee then combined with Mike Hussey for an innings best 53 run partnership, of which the NSW quick scored 10. Mitchell Johnson was quickly dispatched for 3.
Nathan Bracken (1) and Stuart Clark (0) could not give Hussey any support. Sharma (4 for 38 off 9.1) deservedly finished with the pick of the figures, while Sreesanth (3 for 31 off 9) and Pathan (2 for 26 off 
were excellent allies.
Hussey was the only Australian to provide resistance, finishing unbeaten on 65.
The Australians can take heart from the fact they didn’t concede a bonus point, as India failed to run down their target inside 40 overs.
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