Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni put in a dazzling display of batting as he led his team home to an 8-run win over world champions Australia in  the fourth One-Day International at Chandigarh. Not only did Dhoni star with the bat, he was also cool under pressure when Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds were going great guns in the middle of the Australian innings.
 

Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat in a game that India had to win to keep the series alive. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, who made a comeback after a hamstring injury, began on a sedate pace collecting just 34 runs in the first 10 overs.

Tendulkar in particular looked shaky and took 43 balls to hit his first boundary. Meanwhile Ganguly continued to display the good form that has been a hallmark ever since his return. He made a quick 41 of 59 balls before he fell to James Hopes.

Yuvraj Singh was promoted up the order and did not disappoint. He appeared to continue in the same vein that saw him notch a ton in the last game at Hyderabad. However he fell on 39 trying to force the pace. Dhoni came in next and when Tendulkar was run out at 79 with India at 221 for 4, it looked like they would settle for 250-plus.

However Dhoni and Robin Uthappa kicked off in the final overs with India amassing 20 runs off the last over by Nathan Bracken.

Australia got off to a blazing start from Gilchrist and Hayden and despite the loss of Gilchrist; they managed to post 100 runs in 12.5 overs. Ponting made a brisk 29 before he fell to a magical stumping from Dhoni off Pathan. And when Michael Clarke fell at 132, India looked to have the upper hand.

However Hayden and Symonds put on a brilliant partnership of 58 runs before the former perished on 92. Symonds carried on even when Hodge was stumped, but his dismissal in the 47th over on 75 made all the difference. He tried to play a late cut off R P Singh and was bowled.

Murali Kartik and Zaheer Kahn kept their nerves to bowl India to a thrilling 8-run win. the win keeps the series alive for India, but they still trail 2-1. Dhoni was declared the m,an of the Match for his all-round display.

The teams next clash in the 5th game at Vadodara on October 11.
 

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