The Indians were playing for pride, the Australians were playing for ego. The series had already been won by the visitors by 4-1 before the match started. Ponting won the toss and got the Australian batsmen first use of the wicket. India had made two changes, Dinesh Karthik came in for Rahul Dravid and RP Singh replaced Sreesanth.
Australia never got off to a good start with Michael Clarke dismissed first ball of the innings. Gilchrist, Ponting and Brad Hodge took the total to 117 before Murali Karthik took center-stage and ripped through the Australian batting order in a mesmerizing spell of left-arm spin bowling. Australia finished at 193 with Karthik taking a 6-wicket haul. Ponting was the only batsmen to get 50+ in the match.
India, needing 194 for a win, started off to an even worse start. Disaster was in the making when wickets continued to fall and at one stage all the recognized batsmen were sitting back in the pavilion waiting for the dreaded defeat. That was not to happen, thanks to some gritty batting by Robin Uthappa and the Indian tail. The match ended with an Indian win by 2 wickets only. Murali Karthik deserved the man of the match award and Andrew Symonds was awarded player of the series.
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