An inspired India recorded their highest run-chase ever on Australian soil as they pulled off a dramatic last ball seven wicket victory in the third and final T20 International to achieve a rare 3-0 clean sweep against the hosts, here on Sunday.
The win also promoted Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys to the top of the ICC T20 rankings and they now lead the table in the shortest and the longest format.
This is India's second highest run-chase after they overhauled 202 against Sri lanka at Rajkot back in 2010.
Suresh Raina (49 no) and comeback man Yuvraj Singh (15 no) kept their cool as they blasted the required 17 runs off the final over to chase down a mammoth target of 198 set by Australia riding on stand-in captain Shane Watson's incredible 124 not out off 71 balls.
Rookie Andrew Tye was given the final over by Watson with 17 runs to get with a shaky Yuvraj batting for the first time in the series on strike.
He had scratched his way to 5 off 9 balls before whipping a delivery on the pads over fine leg for a boundary.
With 13 needed from five balls, it was vintage Yuvraj as he rocked back and smashed Tye over deep mid-wicket for a six to bring the equation down to 7 from four balls. Yuvraj and Raina then scampered home for a single to make it 6 from three balls.
The UP left-hander kept his cool as he slashed it over point and the Indian dug-out erupted in wild celebrations as the players rushed to the ground to congratulate the duo.
However, a lot of credit should go to the in-form men Rohit Sharma (52, 38 balls) and Virat Kohli (50, 36 balls), who added 78 runs in 9.1 over.
Dhawan and Sharma provided a blistering start to the Indian innings, taking 42 runs off the first three overs. Shaun Tait (0-46) and Scott Boland (0-34) were taken to the cleaners, particularly the former as he was taken for boundaries at will by both batsmen.
In fact, it was the leg spinner who nearly seemed to turn the match around for his side, bowling a brilliant spell in the middle overs. He should have two wickets in that same over, but keeper Cameron Bancroft spilled an easy chance to stump Raina (49*, 25 balls, 6 fours, 1 six).
The left-hander took his time to get going, but with 34 runs needed off the last three overs, Raina got into the act and made sure that India never lost touch with the asking rate as the finished the match with a flourish.
Earlier, stand-in captain Watson pulverised a mediocre Indian bowling to smash an unbeaten 124 as Australia scored a commendable 197 for five in 20 overs after opting to bat. Indian bowlers who were impressive in the first two games were belted out of the park as Australian batsmen hit a total of 16 boundaries and seven sixes in their innings.
Brief Scores
Aus: 197/5 (Watson 124*) lose to Ind: 200/3 (Rohit 52, Kohli 50, Raina 49*) by seven wickets.
‘I can be my normal self in Aus’
It wasn't easy to start with but star Indian batsman Virat Kohli on Sunday said he is now in love with Australia for not just being a happy hunting ground for him but also for the respect and admiration he is getting from both the rival players and the initially hostile fans.
"I love coming to this country, it has a really positive vibe. Most importantly, I can be myself here. I can be normal, I can walk around on the streets. That's something that I really love to do to discover myself rather than staying in a world which is sometimes full of highs and sometimes full of lows," Kohli said.
"Sometimes you need to get away from the game and realise who you are, know yourself and understand your mood. I get to do that in Australia, people appreciate the cricket that we have played," he added.