An incredible unbeaten match-winning captain's knock from MS Dhoni has dragged India to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Series clash at Adelaide Oval.
Needing 13 in the last over to win and then 12 off the final four balls, Dhoni (44 not out) belted a thumping six high over long-on before a Clint McKay no-ball allowed the Indian skipper a second-life after he was caught deep on the boundary.
The Indians ran two from the no-ball and the skipper scored three on the ensuing ball to give his side only its second victory in all formats over Australia this summer.
Chasing 270 for victory, Gautam Gambhir's 92 and partnerships with Virender Sehwag (20) and Rohit Sharma (33), put India on course for a comfortable victory.
However similar to their four-wicket winning run chase against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, the Indians ensured they made it difficult and tense for themselves late.
But Dhoni made sure the visitors clawed to a nerve-wracking win at 6-270 with only two balls to spare.
Australian paceman McKay fought tooth and nail to restrict the Indians in reply with a three-wicket haul (3-53 from 9.4 overs) but received little support from a faltering bowling attack.
Sloppy fielding from the hosts also gave up easy runs to India, bringing undone the work of debutant Peter Forrest (66) and veteran David Hussey (72), who were outstanding and combined for a 98-run partnership earlier in the day to guide Australia to their biggest total of the series with 8-269.
In reply, Gambhir and Sehwag started fiercely, punishing Australia's opening quicks Mitchell Starc (0-49 from eight) and Ryan Harris (1-57 from 10).
Gambhir began spritely while Sehwag, despite taking a number of risks was effective, smacking three early boundaries to signal the Indian side's intent.
The flashy partnership eventually came to end an in the 10th over when Sehwag tried to work McKay onto leg side, only for the ball to edge and balloon up to Hussey at gully.
Kohli who was looking good value to belt a high-score was dismissed in the 18th over for 18 following a reckless shot that fell to Forrest for a comfortable catch at deep cover.
Sharma looked comfortable at the crease despite pressure on the 24-year-old to perform given his place in the side was at the expense of batting master Sachin Tendulkar.
Sharma was menacing and his pull shot for six smashed with gusto in the 29th over the deep square leg fence typified his innings.
Gambhir followed his partner with two quick boundaries of his own the next over to heap pressure on Australia's bowlers.
The duo's short but expensive partnership was looking unbreakable until Sharma threw away his wicket after playing an unnecessary shot attempting to hit over mid-on that took a big leading edge to Starc.
Barely two overs later Australia wrestled their way back into the match when Gambhir was given out following a highly contentious lbw decision that on review showed McKay's delivery was pitched well outside leg stump.
Inspired the Australian bowlers choked the Indian run rate as neither Dhoni nor Sharesh Raina (38) could find runs.
But the pair chipped away in their crucial 61-run stand until Raina, looking to work a full toss, missed and was bowled by McKay to set up a gripping finish.
Dhoni fought gallantly however coming to his side's rescue in a memorable last