Melbourne: MS Dhoni struck his third consecutive half century while Yuzvendra Chahal grabbed a career-best 6/42 to power India to their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory against Australia Down Under on Friday.

Dhoni hit an unbeaten 87 off 114 while Kedar Jadhav was undefeated on 61 as India defeated Australia by seven wickets to win the third ODI and with that the series 2-1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). India successfully chased down 231, scoring 234/3 in 49.2 overs. Dhoni-Jadhav had an unbroken 121-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

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Virat Kohli and his men had earlier created history in Australia by winning their maiden Test series 2-1 Down Under and on Friday they capped off the tour by adding a historic ODI trophy. Dhoni won the Man-of-the-series award while Chahal was adjudged Man-of-the-match.

Prior to this, India had won two ODI tournaments in Australia, the world championship in 1985 and Commonwealth Bank series in 2008.

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Earlier, Chahal bamboozled the hosts with a career-best 6/42. Bhuvneshwar Kumar did early damage to the Australian top-order by removing both openers, Alex Carey (5) and skipper Aaron Finch (14). Then Chahal, playing his first match of the series, took over.

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Chahal, introduced into the attack in the 24th over of the innings, struck two vital bowls in his opening over, sending back Shaun Marsh (39) and Usman Khawaja (34) as the left-handed duo was building a partnership for the third wicket. He continued to trouble the hosts' batsmen and added four more scalps in his 10-over spell.

Chahal now holds the joint-best ODI figures by an Indian bowler at MCG. In 2004, Ajit Agarkar too had an identical 6/42 returns against Australia.

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Australia slumped to 101/4 and made a mini-recovery through Peter Handscomb's (58) half century. Thanks to his knock, they crossed the 200-run mark.

It was all about Chahal's guile that derailed the Australian innings after captain Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bowl. Australia were bowled out for 230 in 48.4 overs.

Bhuvneshwar had figures of 2/28 in eight overs. He has now removed Finch in three consecutive matches.

India made three changes, handing a debut to all-rounder Vijay Shankar and bringing back Chahal and Jadhav. Ambati Rayudu, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj were dropped.

Australia brought in Billy Stanlake for Jason Behrendorff, who was out with back issues. Also, leg-spinner Adam Zampa replaced Nathan Lyon.