Faced with a target of 413, a fourth-innings target which had only been successfully chased once in Test history Australia began the day on 65-2 and was bowled out for 340, as India took wickets at a steady clip to prevent the home side gaining momentum.
India looked on course for a comfortable win when it reduced Australia to 253-8, but tailender Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) and Stuart Clark (32) used the long handle in a 73-run ninth wicket stand that briefly threatened an extraordinary comeback.
It is the second time
It was
It was also
From the time young fast bowler Ishant Sharma dismissed Ponting in the morning,
Ponting squared up to a delivery that bounced and swung away to be caught by Rahul Dravid at first slip.
In what was the best spell of swing bowling in the match, Sharma (1-63) had Ponting playing and missing repeatedly before finally dismissing him.
Mike Hussey (45) and Andrew Symonds (12) were then trapped lbw soon after lunch.
Virender Sehwag was the unlikely star of the afternoon session, using his part-time offspin to dismiss Adam Gilchrist (15) and Brett Lee (0) in successive overs. Gilchrist was bowled around his legs as he attempted to sweep.
Sehwag took 2-24 from his eight overs.
Johnson and Clark indulged in some lusty late-order hitting as the hosts got the runs required into double figures, with the crowd willing them towards what proved impossible.
Leftarm swing bowler Irfan Pathan (3-54), who accounted for both Australian openers, finally claimed Clark who edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
R P Singh (2-95) bowled No.11 Shaun Tait soon after to end the match, leaving Johnson unbeaten after a maiden test half-century that included two sixes and five fours.

