Nagpur, October 14:

Andrew Symonds hit a blistering unbeaten century to set up Australia’s thrilling 18-run win over India in the sixth one-day international on Sunday.

The victory helped Australia win the seven-match series 4-1, with one game left. The opener was abandoned due to rain.

Symonds smashed an unbeaten 88-ball 107 to prop up Australia to an imposing 317-8 before left-arm spinner Brad Hogg picked 4-49 to restrict India to 299-7. India put up a valiant fight, riding on blazing knocks by Sourav Ganguly (86), Sachin Tendulkar (72) and Robin Uthappa (44), but ran out of steam.

Needing 56 runs off the last five overs, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) and Uthappa unleashed a flurry of shots but Mitchell Johnson (2-39) dismissed them both in one over to douse the Indian challenge.

India started off their chase confidently, with Tendulkar and Ganguly combining for their 26th century stand together. Tendulkar was in sublime form, hitting nine fours and a six in his run-a-ball 72. Their stand was broken when James Hopes had Tendulkar stumped by Adam Gilchrist in the 25th over.

Irfan Pathan (29) joined in the run fest, hitting a four and a six off Nathan Bracken’s over before lofting Symonds over the ropes. But Pathan’s dismissal in the 33rd over triggered off a collapse with Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh (six) and Rahul Dravid (seven) departing in quick succession.