Indian cricket team members celebrate their victory over Australia following the second final of their tri-nations one-day international series in Brisbane yesterday. India won the best-of-three series 2-0. - AP

RISBANE, Australia (AP):

INDIA ENDED a tumultuous tour with a dramatic, Sachin Tendulkar-inspired 2-0 limited-overs finals series win over World Cup champions Australia yesterday.

Tendulkar posted 91 in India's 258 for nine after winning the toss and batting in Brisbane, following his match-winning 117 not out in game one at Sydney.

Praveen Kumar took 4-46, including Adam Gilchrist (two) and Ricky Ponting (one) to have Australia reeling at 8-2 before the hosts forced it into the last over.

Irfan Pathan sealed the nine-run win, removing Nathan Bracken (one) and ending James Hopes' defiant 63-run knock within four balls as Australia were bowled out for 249 in 49.4 overs.

Stem momentum

India dominated in stages and took wickets in batches to stem Australia's momentum.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni praised his young team for hold-ing its composure amid the controversies involving umpiring decisions and the racism allegations that swirled around Harbhajan Singh for the last two months.

Dhoni said it galvanised his squad and made Harbhajan more determined to perform on the field.

"Right now we are playing really good cricket," he said. "This series win will give us confidence, give the young guys security and confidence to know they are part of the team."

Harbhajan removed both Mat-thew Hayden (55) and Andrew Symonds (42) within a few balls to end an innings-salvaging fourth-wicket partnership, leaving just too much for Hopes and the tailenders.

Hopes hit a six in the penultimate over, leaving Australia needing 14 runs from six balls to level the series and force a third-match in Adelaide.

But Pathan held his nerve, taking his first wickets of the finals series to spark Indian jubilation after a long tour that included a Test-series loss to Australia.

Gilchrist's last international match ended disappointingly when he feathered Kumar to Dhoni on the third ball of Australia's chase.

Skipper Ponting mistimed a pull shot off the same bowler to mid-on two overs later to end his frustrating summer.

"The day has come that I've played my last game with 'Gilly', that's a pretty sad moment, especially when it's a losing game," Ponting said. "We've shared some amazing times. Would have been nice if we played some cricket fitting of his farewell."

Clarke survived a confident appeal for lbw next ball and Hayden was dropped when he edged Sreesanth and Dhoni put down a chance as he dived in front of first slip and deflected a ball on to the point of Tendulkar's shoulder.

Tendulkar left the field immediately and did not return.

Kumar got some revenge when he bowled Clarke for 17 in the ninth over to have Australia in trouble at 32-3.

Streaker

One of the strangest incidents in a contentious tour occurred soon after. A naked streaker ran on to the field and towards Symonds at the non-striker's end when the Australian all-rounder shoulder-charged him to the ground.

The streaker was escorted from the field and faces a fine and a charge of willful exposure from Queensland state police.

Symonds could face a serious suspension if the International Cricket Council (ICC) charges him under section 4.2 of the players' code of conduct that relates to physical assaults on rival players, officials or spectators.

Putting that aside, Symonds and Hayden added 89 runs before Hayden was run out at the non-striker's end and Harbhajan trapped Symonds lbw and Australia slipped from 121-3 to 123-5.

Mike Hussey (44) put on 76 with Hopes before getting a faint under edge to Sreesanth and was caught behind in the 42nd over.

"All credit has to go to the Indians for the way they played over the last week - they deserve the trophy," said Ponting, who put down a difficult chance when Tendulkar was on seven that could have altered the outcome.

Tendulkar shared a 94-run opening stand with Robin Uthappa (30) and a 54-run partnership for the third wicket with Yuvraj Singh, who returned to form with 38 from 33 balls.