MOHALI, India — Paceman Zaheer Khan took three wickets in four balls Tuesday to erase Australia's last, limited chances of forcing a draw and propel India to a comprehensive 320-run victory in the second cricket Test.
Australia, which resumed the last morning at 141-5 chasing an unlikely 516, lasted 18.4 overs on the fifth day after being rocked by Khan, who finished with 3-71.
The defeat was Australia's seventh-heaviest by runs and comes only a week after it missed opportunities to win the first Test at Bangalore. India, which recorded its largest victory by runs over any opponent, leads the four-match series 1-0 and is seemingly in complete control in the subcontinental conditions.
Khan ensured it would be a quick finish when he crashed through Brad Haddin's weak defensive push to the sixth ball of the day and the wicketkeeper left with 37.
"Overall it was the perfect game for us," said Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who stood in as captain for the injured Anil Kumble. "We got the perfect start after winning the toss and we were up to the mark in all departments."
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said his lineup lost the ascendancy on the opening day.
"Right from the first morning India were aggressive and took the momentum away from us," he said. "We've been under pressure and fighting from the start. They deserved to win, they outplayed us in every aspect."
When Haddin's stumps were shattered, so were Australia's hopes of saving the match after an 84-run partnership between Haddin and Michael Clarke.
In Khan's next over he had Cameron White caught behind for 1 when he pushed at the ball outside off stump and was caught by Dhoni.
It was Khan's second wicket in three deliveries and he added his third immediately by bowling Brett Lee.
All 10 fielders were placed within 15 metres of the bat for the hat-trick ball, which Mitchell Johnson defended. Khan's seven-over spell in the morning returned figures of 3-27, including two maidens.
"Zaheer is bowling at his best," Dhoni said. "His commitment is great, he is fit, he bowls his heart out. His form is brilliant right now and hopefully he can continue it."
Johnson (26) stayed with Clarke in a 50-run partnership, hitting some impressive drives until he popped a simple catch back to the bowler Amit Mishra.
The only bright spot for Australia was Clarke's half-century, but he finished the match when he pulled to Virender Sehwag off Mishra on 69.
Despite the convincing all-round success, Dhoni remained wary of top-ranked Australia for the remainder of the series.
"Australia is still a strong side," he said. "It's just that we are doing our job in a brilliant way, with our batting, bowling and fielding."
Australia was reduced to 58-5 after tea on the fourth day to end its unlikely chances of victory.
Harbhajan Singh's three wickets either side of the break put India on track and Ishant Sharma chipped in with two wickets before the short recovery of Clarke and Haddin.
The first Test in Bangalore was drawn and India will head to New Delhi for the third match starting Oct. 29 looking to wrap up the series and regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
Australia will have a three-day break between Tests and Ponting said it was important for he and his players to "clear our minds."
"We're not accustomed to being behind in a series, and not accustomed to doing so badly," he said.
Dhoni was named man of the match for his run-scoring double of 92 and 68.
"The pleasing thing was that everybody contributed, there were five wickets to Amit Mishra, then Gautam Gambhir's innings," he said. "I was bit surprised (to be man of the match). It's good that it goes to someone from our side, it depicts that your side has had the upper hand."
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