Bollinger stars in Australia win

Doug Bollinger celebrates with Ricky Ponting after having Virender Sehwag caught during Australia's 24-run win

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Doug Bollinger claimed three top-order wickets as Australia defeated India by 24 runs in Mohali to draw level at 2-2 in the seven-match one-day international series.

Australia’s top order all managed useful runs as Ricky Ponting led the way with 52, his third half-century in the series, and Cameron White contributing a steady 62.

However Ashish Nehra claimed three wickets and four batsmen, including Ponting and White, were run out as India bowled the visitors out for 250 on a good batting surface.

Virender Sehwag blazed away at the start of the home reply - and Sachin Tendulkar contributed a measured 40.

But seamers Bollinger and Shane Watson took three wickets each, and Nathan Hauritz snared two as India were all out for 226 inside 47 overs.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni invited Australia to bat first and India's new-ball bowlers Praveen Kumar and Nehra kept their opponent’s openers on a tight leash.

Shaun Marsh returned to open with Watson but the left-handed opener failed to impress as he was trapped in front for five by a Nehra delivery that he played all around.

His dismissal that brought Ponting to the crease early and the Australia captain pulled Nehra for a boundary off the first ball he faced.

Watson had struggled at the start but he was only a run away from a half-century when he edged a poor shot behind to fall to Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner striking with his first delivery.

Ponting, who smashed Ishant Sharma for a six and a four off the fast bowler's first over, raised his 73rd half-century with a boundary off Harbhajan.

But his innings ended when he was run out immediately afterwards. Ponting had turned Harbhajan to the on side and attempted a second run when Ravindra Jadeja, running in from deep midwicket, ended his stay with a superb direct hit.

Australia were 123 for three at that stage - and White and Mike Hussey rebuilt with a 73-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Ponting again displays his remarkable fielding ability as he runs out the dangerous Yuvraj Singh with a pinpoint diving throw from cover during the fourth ODI in Mohali

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India’s spinners, however, hit back - Yuvraj Singh sending back Hussey for 40 as he was caught easily by Sharma at deep midwicket.

Harbhajan soon claimed Moises Henriques stumped after he left his ground trying to sweep.

White, who reached his fourth ODI half-century with a single off Harbhajan, was run out and Australia lost their way, Nehra returning to claim two more wickets.

India began the chase with predictable force, Sehwag hammering Mitchell Johnson for six boundaries in two overs - only to perish caught by Watson at mid-off attempting to hoist Bollinger for one boundary too many.

Number three Virat Kohli then went cheaply after he could only edge Bollinger to wicketkeeper Graham Manou, attempting a cut.

Tendulkar, who needed 47 runs at the start of this match to reach 17,000 in ODIs, fell lbw to Hauritz aiming a shot through the leg side even though replays suggested the ball may have been sliding down.

Bollinger returned to also see off Dhoni strangled down the leg side for 26 while Yuvraj was run out by a direct hit from Ponting after an attempted quick single.

The hosts were left needing 69 from the last 10 overs, and Harbhajan tried to make a fist of it, slapping a series of fours as well as a six.

However his dismissal - caught and bowled by Watson trying to dig out a yorker for 31 – ended India’s chances.