The Indian cricket team landed a much-needed blow in its long-running battle with Australia through its eight-run victory in Chandigarh.

The home side's triumph at the Sector 16 Stadium on Monday reduced Australia's lead in the best of seven one-day series to 2-1 with three matches to play, starting with Thursday's match in Vadodara.

The series will be followed by four Tests and a one-day tri-series in Australia.

In reply to India's 4-291 from 50 overs, the tourists fell just short at 7-283 with Matthew Hayden (92) and Andrew Symonds (75) top scoring for Australia.

Captain Ricky Ponting felt his side's 31 wides during the Indian innings cost them the game.

"It is fairly unacceptable in one-day cricket to concede that many," he said post-match.

"I think looking at the board they conceded about 18 extras so there is a big discrepancy there.

"It is something we pride ourselves on.

"It is something had spoken about going into this game about how good our first few games were with our extras.

"In a game like today it has probably cost us the game."

Both sides fly from Chandigarh to Vadodara on Tuesday.

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