New Delhi - Yuvraj Singh and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit impressive half-centuries to steer India to a six-wicket victory in the third one-day international against Australia here on Saturday.
Yuvraj top-scored with 78 while Dhoni hit an unbeaten 71 as India surpassed the 230-run target with 10 balls to spare in the day-night encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.
The duo put on 148 runs for the fourth wicket off 173 balls on a challenging track to pull India out of trouble after they were reeling at 53-3 in the 16th over.
Yuvraj, named man of the match, smashed eight fours and two sixes in his 96-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by one-day debutant Moises Henriques in the 44th over.
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Dhoni then guided his side to victory and a 2-1 lead in the seven-match series.
Led by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (2-41), India's slow bowlers did well to restrict the world champions to 229-5, built around a fine 82-ball 81 by middle-order batsman Michael Hussey.
Captain Ricky Ponting, opening the innings, scored 59 while Shane Watson contributed 41 at the top of the order.
Australia began their defence on a promising note, dismissing Virender Sehwag (11), Sachin Tendulkar (32) and Gautam Gambhir (six) inside 16 overs but lost their way thereafter.
Sehwag was bowled through the gates off left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson (1-43) after he was hit on the foot in the previous over by fast bowler Peter Siddle.
Tendulkar (32) was run out by a direct throw from Johnson from mid-off while Gambhir fell to off-spinner Nathan Hauritz (1-48).
Earlier, Hussey hit his third half-century of the series and shared 56 runs with Ponting after the world champions won the toss and elected to bat.
Watson made up for his disappointing batting in the first two matches, stroking a fine 41 off 59 balls with five fours.
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