But they came perilously close to losing, despite setting a mammoth target of 349 on a typically flat Manuka Oval pitch.

A top-order rampage by India had the visitors on track to beat the mark, only to lose nine wickets for just 46 runs in the final dozen overs – most at the hands of recalled South Australian Kane Richardson, awarded man of the match for his career-best 5-68.

Skipper Steve Smith said India looked like they were cruising to victory thanks to Shikhar Dhawan (126) and superstar Virat Kohli’s (106) stunning partnership of 212.

“To get 350 is a pretty good total but we almost got run down quite easily,” he said.

“I thought Kane Richardson did a fantastic job, to come back and take five wickets in the end was magnificent.

“We had a never-say-die attitude tonight which is what I want to instill in these guys… we worked extremely hard to get back into that game.”

Richardson said while it was “nice to take wickets and contribute to a win… I’ve still got a lot to learn”.

“This is my 11th game and I hadn’t really contributed until [now], he said.

“Quality bowlers don’t give away the four balls that I’ve been doing lately.”

The 24-year-old admitted it was a daunting task replacing someone as experienced as the injured Mitchell Starc, in conditions unfavourable to bowlers.

But he saw it as an opportunity, and credited fellow pacer John Hastings for provided some momentum after dismissing Shikhar Dhawan on 126 and skipper MS Dhoni for a duck in the 38th over.

“I can’t talk highly enough of the way he’s going,” said Richardson.

“He was stiff to miss out on the squad in the first game, but to come in the way he has and really lead the attack, it’s a young attack, 2-50 of that ground, he’s a match winner.

“He’s not the quickest bloke around, but he’s got a big heart and he just finds a way to get the job done.”

It was the first time in the series that Australia, who now hold a 4-0 lead, won the toss and chose to bat first. It was also their 18th straight ODI win at home.

Openers Aaron Finch and David Warner (93) set the platform with a 187-run partnership, 107 of which was owed to Finch who racked up his seventh ODI century.

But it was Smith (51) and Glenn Maxwell (41) who provided the fireworks in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,922.

Smith scored his half-century off just 27 balls, while Maxwell faced only 20.

Maxwell paid a price, however, suffering a knock to the knee and was taken off for medical treatment. He will be assessed before Saturday’s final ODI in Sydney.

Australia piled on a daunting 111 runs in the last 10 overs to set the biggest run chase of the series.

But India, keen to stop a clean sweep, threatened to reel it in – until Dhawan’s dismissal in the 38th over sparked a massive collapse.

Captain MS Dhoni went for a duck, and was quickly followed by Kohli and Gurkeerat Singh (5).

Ajinkya Rahane (2) – in pain after receiving stitches to repair split webbing in his right hand earlier in the day – was sent packing soon after.

John Hastings (2-50) and Mitch Marsh (2-55) claimed a couple each, while Nathan Lyon – back in the ODI team after a near two-year absence – finished with 1-76 as India went all out for 323.

Dhoni felt his wicket was the turning point in the match.

“If you see specifically, that’s what my role is in the team in that kind of position – to make sure that we finish off the game well,” he said, before adding that inexperience lower in the order also hurt.

“It’s the first few [international] games they have played and maybe it’s the first time in their career they were under some kind of pressure.

“Hopefully they will learn out of these.”

-AAP