We made a few mistakes and dropped a few catches and it cost us dear Shoaib Malik

A century stand between Mahendra Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh helped India ease past Pakistan's 239-7 with 18 balls left.

Malik said: "I felt that 240 was defendable but we didn't field well.

"We're struggling a bit right now but we have learned a lot from this. There are still four games to go and I'm sure we can get back into the series."

However, Malik admitted his side would have to start taking their chances if they were to trouble India in Thursday's match in Mohali.

Gautam Gambhir twice edged through the slip cordon without being caught, while wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal spilled a thin edge off Ganguly early in the Pakistan innings, allowing the pair to share a stand of 82 and provide the platform for the hosts' victory push.

"We made a few mistakes and dropped a few catches and it cost us dear," he said. "It let them get off to a great start and it made all the difference."

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India captain Dhoni was full of praise for his bowling unit.

"They realised what was a good length and bowled to the field," he said.

"Murali Kartik and Harbhajan Singh have been doing well consistently and the conditions favoured the spinners."

Dhoni scooped the Man of the Match award after promoting himself to number four and smashing eight fours in 63 off 77 balls, sharing 105 for the fourth wicket with Yuvraj.