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Part-time spinner Michael Clarke took three wickets in an over to bowl Australia to a sensational 122-run victory over India in the second test here last night with eight minutes to spare.
The win gives Ricky Ponting's side a world record-equalling 16th consecutive victory and means Australia retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
Set 333 to win from 72 overs, India were bowled out for 210 with only Sourav Ganguly (51) passing 50.
Clarke took three for five off 1.5 overs and all-rounder Andrew Symonds three for 51 with the ball to win the man-of-the-match award after his 162 not out and 61 with the bat.
India lost opener Wasim Jaffer for a fourth-ball duck and went to lunch with six runs on the board.
Fast bowler Stuart Clark struck a double blow for Australia after lunch to dismiss first-innings century-makers VVS Laxman lbw for 20 and Sachin Tendulkar bowled for 12.
In yet another umpiring controversy in this match, West Indian Steve Bucknor fired out Rahul Dravid (38) caught behind to off-spinner Symonds at four for 115.
Dravid had good reason to look shocked at Bucknor's decision after appearing to have his bat and gloves tucked safely behind his pad as the ball passed.
Three deliveries later Yuvraj Singh (0) was caught behind off Symonds in the batsman's fourth failure in four outings this series.
Ganguly sensationally stood his ground as Australia celebrated a low catch by Clarke at second slip off Brett Lee's bowling. Mark Benson finally put his finger up so Ganguly slowly walked off, appearing to give the English umpire some advice on the way.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (35) held on for two hours but fell lbw to Symonds without playing a shot at 7-185 as Australia gained fresh hope with 10.4 overs remaining.
Clarke claimed three wickets in five balls in the 71st of the scheduled 72 overs to clinch the victory, with Harbhajan Singh (7) caught at slip by Mike Hussey and RP Singh lbw (0) before Ishant Sharma was caught at slip by a jubilant Hussey.
Clarke, who had a miserable match with the bat scoring just one and a duck, said he was only thrown the ball as a last resort.
"More wickets than runs this match," he joked. "I have been asking Punter [Ponting] for a bowl all day and he finally gave me the ball and obviously again, a lot of arse, but I am certainly taking it."
Clarke thought Australia had missed their chance before his dramatic final over.
"Honestly not a chance in hell and I think that is why Punter threw me the ball. Look there was obviously enough rough there and I thought India did really well to fight out and last as long as they did," he added.
Hussey hit an unbeaten 145, his third century in four home tests this summer, before Australia declared at seven 401.
Hussey, who boosted his average to 84.80, added 128 runs with the in-form Symonds (61).
Clarke who earlier dropped Ganguly in the slips, said he was constantly amazed by the game's twists and turns.
"I think that is the one thing that I have learnt about cricket is how quickly things can change whether for the better or for the worse and I think today is a perfect example."
- AAP
