Dhoni and Yuvraj engineer victory

Yuvraj Singh cuts loose in strking spinner Nathan Hauritz for one of two sixes during his important half-century for India at Delhi

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Battling half-centuries from Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni lifted India to a six-wicket victory over Australia in the third one-day international at Delhi and a 2-1 lead in the seven-match series.

Australia had opted to take first strike on a low and slow surface and Ricky Ponting, who opened the innings alongside Shane Watson, gave the visitors a steady start with a knock of 59.

Watson chipped in with 41 while Mike Hussey anchored the middle order with a businesslike 81 not out off 82 deliveries as Australia finished with a par total of 229 for five.

Yuvraj then scored an impressive 78 while Dhoni made an unbeaten 71, the two putting on 148 for the fourth wicket as India overhauled the target with 10 balls to spare.

Australia’s openers were constrained by the conditions early on as an accurate line from India’s bowlers stifled scoring.

Ponting and Watson put on 72 for the opening wicket when Yuvraj induced Watson into a drive, but the ball spun past his edge and Dhoni completed the dismissal with some smart work behind the stumps.

Dhoni used left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja inside the powerplay and had spinners operating from both ends once the fielding restrictions were removed.

Australia’s batsmen were kept in check, but Ponting went on to reach his 72nd ODI half-century and put on 56 for the second wicket with Hussey.

Ponting was trapped in front by Jadeja and India struck another quick blow when Cameron White was then snared cheaply, Dhoni juggling a faint inside edge off the pad before grasping the catch.

Adam Voges looked good during a stay which yielded 17, but perished to a catch in the deep while attempting an across-the-line swipe at Harbhajan Singh.

Debutant Moises Henriques, who was rushed in to replace Brett Lee, and Mitchell Johnson provided some support as Hussey, who clubbed only two boundaries en route to his 27th ODI fifty, accelerated nicely at the death.

Graham Manou watches on as Mahendra Singh Dhoni steers another ball into the off-side en route to finishing 71 not out

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In reply, India’s chase began in a blaze with Sachin Tendulkar driving Johnson for a couple boundaries in a first over which yielded 12.

Virender Sehwag struggled to put bat to ball and was bowled by Johnson for a scratchy 11, while Tendulkar was run out for 32, a direct hit from Johnson at mid-off catching him yards short.

Gautam Gambhir perished cheaply, a victim of Nathan Hauritz who superbly deceived him in the flight in bowling him for six.

From 37 for no loss, India had slipped to 53 for three when Dhoni, who cracked a sparkling century in the previous match at Nagpur, joined Yuvraj at the crease.

The pair painstakingly hauled the home side back into contention, the bulk of the runs coming in at times risky singles and twos.

Yuvraj smashed Voges for a six and a four in his first over – the 35th of the innings – and Henriques received the same treatment in his sixth over as Yuvraj raced to his 42nd ODI half-century.

Dhoni continued to deal in singles and twos and raised his 33rd half-century with one off Henriques.

Yuvraj fell lbw to Henriques, and India needed 29 from the last six overs.

However Dhoni shifted gears as India cantered home.