Melbourne, Feb 06: India were outclassed in all departments of the game as Australia pulverised the visitors for a seven-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three cricket tri-series finals here today. Chasing a modest Indian total of 222, the world champions raced to the target in 40.1 overs, thanks to a quickfire 80-ball 88 by captain Ricky Ponting and his 139-run stand with half-centurion Matthew Hayden.
Beaten hands down in the one-sided contest, India have now 48 hours to regroup for the second final slated for Sunday in Sydney and take the final series to the third match in Brisbane on February 10.
India were hardly ever allowed into the game once Adam Gilchrist gave a characteristic whirlwind start to the Australian innings with a 20-ball 38 and Ponting revived memories of his World Cup form with his blitzkrieg.
The hosts raced to the 100-run mark while losing just one wicket in the 18th over and although they did lose a couple of quick wickets, it hardly mattered as they had already cantered to the 200 run-mark by then.
Nothing seemed to go right for the Indians ever since Sourav Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat as they lost six wickets with just 75 runs on the board. It was only through a rearguard action by Hemang Badani (60 no) and Ajit Agarakar (53) that they were saved from further ignominy. Bureau Report