Report: Aussies beat India

Australia captain Ricky Ponting praised Michael Clarke for setting up the team's 77-run win against India on Saturday.

The part-time left-arm spinner dismissed both Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to claim 4-42 in only his sixth one-day international.

The victory leaves Australia top of the standings in the tri-series with India and New Zealand.

"Michael is a young bloke who backs himself well," said Ponting.

It was very rewarding on a difficult wicket like this Australia's Damien Martyn

"He told me he was going to get Sachin, he did. He told me he was going to get Dravid and did that too."

Despite being better known for his batting skills, Clarke was chosen ahead of all-rounder Ian Harvey on a slow pitch.

And the 22-year-old New South Wales player did not disappoint.

Tendulkar was out for 68 and was quickly followed by Dravid, who was out reverse-sweeping for 59, as India were bowled out for 209 chasing a stiff target of 287.

"I didn't think I was going to get 10 overs out of Michael, but 4-42 out of 10 overs is pretty good," said Ponting.

Ponting also had praise for Damien Martyn, who notched up his fifth one-day century.

"He played beautifully and it was a very good hundred, especially on a wicket where the ball turned," the captain said.

Martyn, who was named the man-of-the-match, was delighted with his effort made in energy-sapping humidity.

"It was very rewarding on a difficult wicket like this, having to build partnerships and with the bowlers getting a lot of turn," the Western Australia player said.

But India were disappointed with their performance in attack.

"We should have bowled better," conceded stand-in captain Dravid.

"They lost a few early wickets, but kept batting positively. They played better cricket. We tried something different, but it did not work."