BARODA, Oct. 25: After showing felicity in all three departments for most part of the match, Australia withered under a dazzling onslaught orchestrated by the unlikely blades of Praveen Kumar (40 not out, 32b) and Harbhajan Singh (49, 31b) in the opening one-dayer here on Sunday.

A win that looked a formality at the end of the 45th over was not to be. The eighth wicket pair bludgeoned their way to an 84-run stand in 57 balls to bring India within striking distance of a 293-run target.

On a day of clinical final overs Australia found their hero in Peter Siddle who shattered Harbhajan’s citadel with the second ball of the last over and kept things tight from there to hand Australia a hard-fought four-run win.

In pursuit of 293, India got off to a flier with the iron wrists of Virender Sehwag settig the tone. The first two balls were duly dispatched for eight runs but Brett Lee produced a fine leg-cutter in the third over to snap the threat.

Sachin Tendulkar looked compact for most parts and fidgety outside the off-stump on a few occasions. The chase required his calming influence. A few tight overs later Tendulkar drove a ball that stopped on him and Ponting took a sharp catch at covers. It was a wobble that India did not want.

With two of their best strikers gone, India faced a steep climb though Virat Kohli measured up well. Treating the ball firmly on merit, he put the innings on track with Delhi colleague Gautam Gambhir for company. The 58-run stand ensured, the visitors did not run away with the game.

M.S. Dhoni walked in at a crucial stage. Gambhir was growing strong. Preferring the areas behind square and over long-on, he rebuilt the chase.

Time however, was running out for Dhoni and with the asking rate touching eight, India took the batting power play and Mitchell Johnson responded with a wicket off the first ball. Gambhir was done by a swirling low full toss. Suresh Raina, after striking a huge six off Peter Siddle, was caught by Johnson off his own bowling. Dhoni’s mishit was taken by Lee shortly as India faded away.

James Hopes suffered an injury but Adam Voges filled in adequately. But the best bowler on view was Nathan Hauritz. Exercising good control over flight, the off-spinner curbed the flow of runs.

Earlier, Australia began things right by winning the toss. In hindsight the wicket played better than it suggested on match eve. The foundation was laid by an enterprising 97-run stand for the second wicket between Ponting and Tim Paine. Unfortunately, the rest of the order could not break free and only a 54-ball 73 from Mike Hussey carried the total past the 290-mark.

India pulled things back admirably between overs 40-45. Australia employed the power play within that period but the fall of Cameron White and Adam Voges did not help.

Early on, Shane Watson played back to a fullish length and was trapped in front by Ashish Nehra. That was the only moment of celebration for the hosts for a long time.

Ponting essayed a few delightful drives in front of the wicket. A cover drive off Praveen was special. A hooked six of Nehra a stroke of vengeance, the Aussie skipper was not in control yet got enough meat to get the ball past the ropes.

Paine played risk free cricket. Ishant Sharma was impressive with the three quarter length and got one to kick to find the edge of Paine’s attempted square cut. The opener had done his job with a polished 50.

Ponting looked set for another ton when Ravindra Jadeja pushed one with the arm and catch him on the back foot. The wicket came at the right time for India as it helped curb the flow.