Replying to Australia's challenging total of 229 for five wickets on a low bouncing pitch at Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium, Yuvraj scored 78 and Dhoni an unbeaten 71 to guide India to victory with 10 balls remaining.

The Yuvraj-Dhoni partnership took the spotlight away from fine batting performances by Michael Hussey and captain Ricky Ponting for Australia. Hussey's unbeaten 81 was his third successive half-century, while Ponting made a composed 59.

four-run win

Australia won the first ODI by four runs, while India took the second by 99 runs.

Yuvraj and Dhoni resurrected India from a shaky position at 53-3, grafting runs before Yuvraj lashed out.

The usually aggressive Yuvraj came out of his shell by swinging debutant seamer Moises Henriques for a six over mid-wicket and then through the covers for four. He later reproduced the strokes against left-arm spinner Adam Voges. Yuvraj hit two sixes and eight boundaries in 96 deliveries in his second match back since breaking his finger at the Champions Trophy.

Dhoni followed up his century in Wednesday's second ODI with a 95-ball innings that featured six hits to the boundary.