India topple Australia

A stunning spell of fast bowling from Ishant Sharma set up a five-wicket victory for India against Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Ishant was in destructive form, claiming four wickets as the hosts were dismissed for just 159 inside 44 overs.

India stuttered in reply, but 44 from Sachin Tendulkar and an unbeaten 39 from Rohit Sharma were enough to see them home.

Australia got off to a disappointing start when Adam Gilchrist was controversially judged lbw off the bowling of Sreesanth without scoring.

And Matthew Hayden (25) became Ishant's first victim soon after when he was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The hosts looked in danger of an embarrassing collapse when Ponting was caught at first slip by Tendulkar for nine, again of the bowling of Ishant.

And Australia were reduced to 64 for four when Irfan Pathan removed Michael Clarke (11) and Andrew Symonds (14) gave Ishant his third wicket when he was caught behind by Dhoni after edging a delivery which straightened.

Dhoni claimed his third victim of the innings when he stumped Brad Haddin (five) as the batsman came down the pitch to Harbhajan Singh.

That left the hosts in real trouble on 92 for six and, though Brett Lee (10) and Mike Hussey rebuilt well, putting on 53 for the seventh wicket, there was little resistance after the former was caught by Dhoni off Pathan.

From then on, the wickets quickly tumbled as Sreesanth removed Mitchell Johnson (three) and Nathan Bracken (one).

And Ishant claimed his fourth wicket as Clark edged his first delivery to Dhoni to wrap up the innings.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.