India v Australia 3rd Test: India seal series win

India have taken a winning 3-0 lead in the four-match Test series against Australia to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

This is only the fourth time India have won three Tests in a series  and only the third time they have led by 3-0.

Australia have now lost eight of their last 10 Tests in India.

India raced to victory as Dhoni smashed Starc for three consecutive boundaries.

India made 136-4 in 33.3 overs chasing a target of 133 to win the third Test against Australia at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Monday.

Chasing a target of 133 during the final session, India faced heavy resistance from Australia before pulling off a thrilling victory.

They were cruising along at one stage with openers Vijay (26) and Pujara (38) putting on 42 runs in 9.2 overs.

Kohli held the innings together after their dismissal as the spin duo Doherty and Lyon attempted to choke them while Starc and Siddle bowled excellent spells.

Vijay was stumped by Haddin off Doherty while Pujara was trapped leg before of Lyon.

India required 45 runs in the 15 mandatory overs.

The dismissal of Kohli (34) holing to Hughes off Siddle and the run out of Tendulkar (21) caused some anxious moments.

But Jadeja smashed a couple of boundaries off Siddle while skipper MS Dhoni slammed three consecutive hits to the ropes off Starc as India won with nearly five overs to spare.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke took a lot of positives from their performance in Mohali.

"I think we showed character. But we have to give credit to India. The start that Dhawan and Vijay gave was outstanding, and all credit to them. The way we came out and fought with the ball today is amazing, but once again the Indian batters showed us that once you get in, you have to score big," said Clarke.

"We are disappointed, but hopefully we can finish on a high in Delhi," he added.

Indian skipper MS Dhoni once again attributed their victory to a splendid all-round effort.

"We have exploited the conditions well. Even the fast bowlers have done well despite conditions helping spinners," he said.

"It was one of the best batting exhibitions when it comes to batting in pairs, Vijay and Dhawan. The pitch got better to bat on a bit," he said on their 287-run opening stand which blew away Australia.

There won't be any respite for Australia despite the hosts having sewn up the series.

"We may try a few things in Delhi but it is important to win all Tests," said Dhoni.

Man of the match Shikhar Dhawan who hit the fastest century ever on debut in Test history said it was a dream come true for him.

"I would like to thank god and my family. When I entered, I was nervous for three-four balls. Once I got into my rhythm, I played my natural game," said the 27 year-old left hander from Delhi reaching his maiden century off 85 balls.

"I will cherish this for the rest of my life," he added.

Earlier, it seemed that India would romp home when the visitors stumbled to 179 for nine in their second innings.

But Mitchell Starc and Xavier Doherty saved Australia the blushes as the duo put on 44 runs for the last wicket and most importantly stuck around for 18.1 overs, raising hopes of a draw.

Before that, India's spinners - Ashwin, Ojha and Jadeja - sliced through the Aussie middle-order in the morning session.

Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon got a big turner from Ojha to edge it behind.

Jadeja got his 'bunny' Michael Clarke for the fifth time in the series, caught at short leg.

Overnight batsman Phil Hughes (69) followed his captain back to the pavilion, leg-before to Ashwin, although replays showed that it was missing leg.

Moises Henriques and Peter Siddle didn't last long and it was left to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, along with Starc and Doherty, to show some fight.

The trio did its best but India were already on course.

India's 3-0 victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is the first against Australia in their Test history.

The victory on Monday is India's eighth in ten Tests against the visitors at home since their last defeat in Nagpur in 2004.

It is also the first time in 25 years that Australia have lost the first three matches of a series.

Allan Border's side lost 3-1 at home to the West Indies in 1988-89.

The visitors have also failed to win even a single Test in India since their 342-run triumph in Nagpur.

The 2008-09 and 2010-11 series Australia lost 2-0 each. On the other hand, India have won each of their last six home Tests against Australia.

India's six-wicket victory also means that for the first time India have won three Tests in a series since Mohammad Azharuddin led his team against Sri Lanka in 1993-94.

If India beat Australia in the fourth and final Test in Delhi, starting Friday, it would become only the third time that the visitors have been whitewashed in a series of three or more matches. The other two were South Africa in 1969-70 and Pakistan in 1982-83.

FINAL SESSION

Jadeja hits a couple of boundaries off Siddle as India need nine more runs for victory.

Attempting a cheeky single, Tendulkar is beaten by a direct underarm throw from Warner.

Tendulkar is run out with India needing 17 off 24 balls.

Sachin breaks the shackles to loft Starc to the boundary.

The Crowd looks anxiously at Dhoni to nail the winning shot with five overs left of batting.

Australia make India earn their runs with Starc and Siddle bowling a tidy spell.  

Dhoni goes for quick singles with Starc brought into the attack with six overs left of play.

New batsman in Dhoni takes charge with Sachin on the crease.

Siddle strikes a vital blow getting Kohli who made 34 off 61 balls with six boundaries.

Kohli attempting a ambitious drive was caught by Hughes.

Peter Siddle brought in to tame the fiery Kohli as India need 30 from 10 overs.

Kohli on strike at 29 fires all cylinders to send Starc to the ropes to get India 102 on the board.

Lyon's shot pitched ball pulled away by Kohli for a boundary.

Kohli (24) with four boundaries takes most of the strike going for the big shots building a steady 28 runs partnership.

India need another 45 runs in 15 mandatory overs to win the match and series.

Sachin Tendulkar the new man thrills the crowd driving Lyon to the ropes.

Lyon brought into the attack gets Pujara leg before wicket. Pujara made 28 off 51 balls with five boundaries.

Kohli gets the fireworks going slamming Doherty for a boundary.

Pujara gets his fifth boundary blasting Starc to the ropes for a boundary.

Starc brought into the attack with Kohli taking strike.

Pujara smashes Siddle to the boundary edging India closer to the winning figure.

Kohli finds the gap to drive Doherty to the boundary stepping up the run chase for India.

Kohli slams Doherty to the ropes to get his first boundary

Kohli yet to open account facing four balls.

Doherty strikes in his second over having Murali Vijay stumped by Haddin for 26 off 33 balls with five boundaries.

Pujara and Vijay have smashed a boundary apiece off Siddle in the second over after the tea interval.

AFTERNOON SESSION

India need 103 runs for victory in a minimum of 20 overs during the final session with all their wickets in hand.

Vijay is unbeaten on 19 off 26 balls with four boundaries while Pujara is with him on 10 off 16 balls.

Pujara cracks Siddle for his second boundary in the final over before tea.

Vijay square drives Starc past point for his fourth boundary.

Pujara slams his first boundary off Lyon.

Vijay drives Starc to the fence to hit his second boundary as India attempt to close in on the victory figure.

Murali Vijay has hit a couple of boundaries in the first over from Starc as they begin their run chase.

India need 133 to win the third Test and the series in a minimum of 27 overs after Australia were all out for 223 in their second innings 45 minutes before tea .

Australia are all out for 223 in 89.2 overs  with a lead of 132 in their second innings resuming on their overnight total of 75-3 on day five.

Starc was the last man out caught by Ashwin off Jadeja for 35 after facing 100 balls and hitting two boundaries.

Doherty remained unbeaten on 18 off 56 balls having hit four boundaries.

The last pair added 44 runs in 18.1 overs which is the highest partnership of the Australian second innings.

Jadeja had the best return of three for 35 while Ashwin finished with two for 72 and Ojha two for 46.

Doherty slams Jadeja over his head to claim his fourth boundary.

Starc hammers Ashwin to the ropes and survives a close call in the next ball, with Dhoni appealing for  a backpad.

Australia added 41 runs in 18 overs in the hour after lunch for the loss of one wicket.

Ashwin bowls a maiden over with the second new ball in his first over.

Doherty slams his third boundary off Kumar as the last pair continue to defy the Indian attack.

Doherty hits Sharma for a boundary to bring up the 200 in the 83rd  over.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been handed the second new ball with Australia on 197 for nine.

India have delayed taking the second new ball which is due with Australia 196-9.

Sachin Tendulkar brought into the attack.

Starc hits his first boundary edging Ashwin through the slips as Australia lead by 99 runs.

Xavier Doherty joins Starc with Australia ahead by 88 runs.

Ashwin strikes in the sixth over after lunch to dismiss Haddin leg before for 30.

Haddin faced 72 balls during his knock stroking five boundaries and added 36 runs for the ninth wicket with Starc.

Haddin hits the first boundary in the second over after the lunch interval driving Ojha through cover.

The tourists are ahead by 79 runs with Brad Haddin unbeaten on 23 off 63 with four boundaries while Mitchell Starc is with him on 9 having faced 31 balls and hit one boundary.

Australia lost five wickets for 105 run in 46 overs during the morning session, with the spin trio of Ashwin, Ojha and Jadeja sharing the wickets.

Australia had early setbacks with Lyon (18) facing 48 balls with three boundaries was caught behind the stumps by Dhoni at the ball of Ojha.

Clarke was then dismissed by Pujara off Jadeja's ball at 18 facing 49 balls.

Henriques was out cheaply at 2 caught and bowled by Jadeja facing 10 balls.

Australia struggling to keep wickets then lost Siddle (13) off Ojha facing 13 balls.

Starc and Haddin offered stiff resistance to march Australia ahead for lunch with a 79 runs lead with two wickets in hand.
 
MORNING SESSION

Haddin is spearheading the resistance having hit his fourth boundary of Ojha.

Sharma brought into the attack replacing Ashwin.

Australia lead by 60 runs with the last two men batting.

Australia's first innings hero Mitchell Starc takes strike with Brad Haddin in the middle.

India are racing to victory on the fifth morning as Australia cave in to the spin trio of Ashwin, Ojha and Jadeja.

Siddle hammers a six off Ojha but is bowled two balls later having made 13.

The new batsman in Siddle supported by Haddin attempt to put up a brave fight against the Indian attack..

Australia are ahead by just 38 runs with three wickets in hand as India edge closer to a series win after Jadeja's double strike.

Australia are heading for another crushing defeat as Moises Henriques departs lobbing a return catch to Jadeja who claims his second wicket.

Henriques who was out for a duck in the first innings faced just 10 balls to make two.

Phillip Hughes was unfortunate to be dismissed leg before with replays showing the ball going down the leg side.

The left-hander made 69 off 147 balls having hit 11 fours and  a six.

Hughes after hitting a boundary was out leg before by Ashwin.

Australia lead by 28 runs losing half their side as India scent victory.

Clarke is caught by Pujara at short leg off Jadeja for 18 off 49 balls.

Jadeja got lucky the fifth time to get Clarke who hit three boundaries during his brief innings.

Ojha and Jadeja have put the brakes on the Aussies plugging the odd singles.

Ojha and Jadeja have bowled two consecutive maiden overs to tighten the screw on the Aussies.

Clarke slams a boundary off Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja into the attack now replacing Ojha.

Hughes gets his first boundary of the morning off Ashwin with a glance to fine leg.

Ashwin bowls a maiden over to Hughes.

Clarke who was out for a first-ball duck in the first innings has quickly got into with another boundary off Ojha.

Clarke wipes out the deficit with a boundary clipping Ojha to square leg as Australia lead by two runs.

Clarke who had been suffering from a back injury arrives in the middle with Australia trailing by two runs.

Lyon hit the second boundary of the morning off Ojha who strikes in the final ball of his second over having the nightwatchman caught behind the stumps by Dhoni.

Lyon made 18 off 48 balls with three boundaries adding 34 runs runs for the fourth wicket with Hughes.

Nathan Lyon (12) has been dropped by Virat Kohli at first slip in Ojha's first over.

Pragyan Ojha into the attack replacing Sharma.

India open the attack on the fifth morning with Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Nathan Lyon hit the first boundary of the fifth morning clipping Ishant Sharma to midwicket.

DAY FOUR - BHUVNESHWAR STRIKES

Australia resume on 75-3 on the final day of the third Test against India trailing by 16 runs at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Monday.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's treble strike in the final session of day four has raised the prospect of an exciting finish to the match returning figures of three for 25.
 
Phillip Hughes is spearheading Australia fightback with a belligerent unbeaten 53 off 68 which has contained nine boundaries and a six.
 
India lead the four-match series 2-0.

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