Mohali: Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a captain's knock scoring 139 off 121 balls but it went in vain as James Faulkner came up with a scintillating 24-ball 69 towards the end of the match to give Australia a four-wicket win over India at the PCA Stadium here on Saturday.
With this win Australia have taken a 2-1 lead over the hosts in the seven-match ODI series, whicch moves to Ranchi for the fourth match now.
Chasing a mammoth winning target of 304, Australians were on the back-foot until the 42nd over as they lost their sixth wicket in Brad Haddin for 213. But that brought Faulkner to the crease and he in the company of Adam Voges started the chase which wasn't easy.
James Faulkner's went on to score an unbeaten 29-ball 64, including two fours and six sixes, while Voges scored 76 not out from 88 balls, including seven fours that changed the complexion of game and took their his side home with three balls to spare.
Ishant Sharma once again proved to be the costliest bowler as he gave 30 runs in the 48th over that turned the tide in Australia's favour.
Earlier, Dhoni rescued India from a precarious 76 for four at one stage to 303 for 9 after the home side were asked to bat. His unbeaten knock came from 121 balls with the help of 12 fours and five sixes. Virat Kohli was the other notable contributor with a 73-ball 68.