Gambhir, Dhoni Lead India To First Win In Adelaide

Gambhir, Dhoni Lead India To First Win In Adelaide

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (right) guided India to victory in Adelaide

©REUTERS / Action Images

India 270-6 (Gambhir 92, McKay 3-53) beat
Australia 269-8 (Hussey 72) by four wickets
Commonwealth Bank Series, Adelaide
Scorecard

India claimed their first One-Day International victory in Adelaide as they beat Australia by four wickets in game four of the Commonwealth Bank Series.

After Australia reached 269 for eight thanks to half-centuries from David Hussey and debutant Peter Forrest before India chased succcessfully, reaching their target with two balls to spare.

Gautam Gambhir led the charge with 92 from the top of the order before Mahendra Singh Dhoni closed the game with an unbeaten 44.

Batting first, Australia lost openers David Warner (18) and Ricky Ponting (6) cheaply before Forrest made a composed 66 in 83 balls, captain Michael Clarke 38 in 43 deliveries and David Hussey 72 in 76.

India kept the pressure on as Ranganath Vinay Kumar and Umesh Yadav grabbing a brace of wickets before Daniel Christian blasted 39 in 36 balls and Matthew Wade made 16.

India made a good start as Virender Sehwag made a swift 20 and Gambhir stroked his 29th half-century to anchor the run chase.

Virat Kohli (18), Rohit Sharma (33) and Suresh Raina, whose 38 came from just 30 balls, offered Gambhir support and then drove India closer to victory when Gambhir became the third of Clint McKay's three wickets.

After Ravi Jadeja was caught by Ponting off Xavier Doherty for 12 with eight balls remaining and 13 to win, Australia almost got themselves back into the match.

However, with Dhoni - captain cool - at the other end, he calmly guided them over the finishing line aided by Ravichandran Ashwin, who was unbeaten on one.

The result leaves both Australia and India at the top of the table with two wins apiece.

© Cricket World 2012