India demolish Australia

Debutant Cheteshwar Pujara proved an unlikely hero as India thrashed Australia by seven wickets in the second and final Test on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0.

Pujara hit a fluent 72 as the hosts, set 207 runs to win on a wearing wicket, cruised home soon after tea on the fifth and final day at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

Veteran Sachin Tendulkar, who hit a double-century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 53 as India enhanced their reputation as the world's number one Test side.

Ricky Ponting's Australia, preparing for next month's start of the Ashes series at home against England, slipped to fifth place behind the Indians, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Englishmen.

Rahul Dravid made 21 not out as India followed their dramatic one-wicket win in the first Test in Mohali last week to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Tendulkar, who hit a double-century in the first innings, stamped India's superiority by smashing off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for two consecutive sixes just before the tea interval. AFP