Kotla: Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni posted impressive half-centuries on a tricky track as India recovered from early jolts to beat Australia by six wickets at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium here on Saturday night.
India were reduced to 53 for 3 at one stage, with Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gambhir back in the pavilion. But Dhoni (71) and Yuvraj ( 78) played matured innings to guide the team home with 10 balls to spare in a relatively low-scoring contest.
Dhoni and Yuvi began cautiously and stayed away from the expansive drives, taking singles and doubles in the earlier part of the innings. They also punished the bowlers whenever the opportunity came. In the entire partnership, they took more than 55 singles. Dhoni played the sheet anchors role and scored 71 of 95 balls hitting six boundaries.
Man-of-the-Match Yuvraj, who has just returned after recovering from a finger injury, scored 78 runs of 96 balls hitting 8 fours and two sixes
India lost opener Virender Sehwag for 11 to a yorker from paceman Mitchell Johnson, who then ran out Sachin Tendulkar for 32 with a direct hit from mid-off.
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz then bowled Gautam Gambhir for 6, but Australia had to wait until Henriques trapped Yuvraj lbw in the 44th over for their next wicket.
Earlier,half-centuries from Michael Hussey and captain Ricky Ponting helped Australia to score a decent total of 229 for five in 50 overs.
Ponting, who opened the innings alongside Shane Watson (41), gave the visitors a steady start with a knock of 59, while Michael Hussey anchored the middle order with a businesslike 81 off 82 deliveries as Australia finished on 229 for five.
Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the Indian attack, finishing with figures of two for 41 from nine overs.
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