India failed to survive the last seven balls of the match as Michael Clarke snapped up three wickets in a span of five balls to give the hosts a record-equalling 16th consecutive Test win.

On a controversial fifth day's play, the Indians were left to chase a stiff target of 333 in 72 overs but they were skittled out for 210 in 70.5 overs as Australia took an invincible 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

In the nerve-wracking final moments, it seemed India would manage a draw at 210 for seven but Clarke dismissed Harbhajan Singh, RP Singh and Ishant Sharma in quick succession to hand a dramatic victory to his team.

The victory in this rivetting Test, marked by controversial umpiring decisions and a simmering race row, allows the home team to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

The fifth and final day was sullied by some horrendous umpiring decisions and as has been the case so far, Australia had no reason to complaint while India found themselves at the receiving end of the goof-ups by Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson.