Aussies hold nerve to go one up

Ricky Ponting (74), opener Tim Paine (50), Cameron White (51) and Michael Hussey - with a fluent 73 off just 54 deliveries - helped Australia post a commanding 292 for eight.

India were left with a mountain to climb, despite Gautam Gambhir's 68 but Harbhajan Singh (49) and Praveen Kumar (40no) then put on 83 in quick time for the seventh wicket to bring them within range of what had looked a highly unlikely victory - but Australia's bowlers eventually prevailed as the hosts fell just short on 288 for eight.

Australia captain Ponting steadied the ship after the early loss of Shane Watson as he and Paine had some minor slices of luck in a 97-run stand which ended when the wicketkeeper was caught behind off Ishant Sharma.

Ponting went lbw to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, and the tempo fell as White and Hussey began the process of rebuilding before White fell in the first over after the batting powerplay was taken.

Only 33 came from the powerplay - but Hussey superbly accelerated at the death, hitting Praveen for 18 runs and helping Australia to a decent total.

India's chase stuttered at the start, openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar falling cheaply.

MS Dhoni and Gambhir put on 64 for the fourth wicket. But the left-hander was trapped in front by Mitchell Johnson, who quickly got rid of Suresh Raina too - and then Dhoni holed out off Brett Lee.

India needed an improbable 92 from the last 10 overs, but Harbhajan and Praveen kept them in it with a stream of boundaries.

Nine was required from the final over, but Peter Siddle bowled Harbhajan and conceded only four runs as Australia sneaked to victory.