With the series level at 1-1, there was everything to play for at Chennai. The Australian pride was hurt after their loss at Eden Gardens and the true champions that they are everyone expected a great comeback from them in the decider. And the world champions lived up to their reputation. Matthew Hayden continued his unbelievable form with the bat as Australia walloped the Indian bowlers all over the park on the opening day. Australia ended day one with an impressive 341 for 3 on board. It seemed the Australians meant business and this time they won't allow India any chance to get into the match.

But Harbhajan Singh had other plans. If the first day's play belonged to Australia, Harbhajan took away most of the honours on day two. The Aussies lost their last seven wickets for just 51 runs and the entire team was bowled out for 391-not something Australia were hoping for especially after their terrific start. The collapse began with the freakish dismissal of Steve Waugh. The Aussie skipper was dismissed 'handled the ball' when he tried to prevent a ball from going onto the stumps by obstructing it with his hands. After that, things started going down hill for Australia. Ricky Ponting's horrors against Harbhajan continued as he was out stumped first ball and Gichrist too followed soon after falling lbw to the wily off spinner. While wickets kept falling at the other end, Hayden stood firm among the ruins and registered a majestic double century before he was the last man out. But his brilliance was overshadowed by Harbhajan who picked his second seven-wicket haul in two tests.

With the bowlers (read Harbhajan) getting India right back into the game, it was now up to the batsmen to build on this momentum gained. The Indian opening pair of had done a reasonable if not great job in the past and they carried on their good work in this important game. While Ramesh fell after scoring a nice half-century, Das carried on to make a fighting 84 before falling lbw to McGrath early on the third day. Laxman continued for where he left off at Eden Gardens but could not get a big score here. He fell for 65 chasing a ball outside off stump. Laxman's innings was full of beautiful strokes and the Chennai crowd was disappointed to see the new Indian hero go after looking set for another big score.

But the disappointment did not last long as India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar compensated for his failures at Kolkatta and came up with a classy knock. Tendulkar, who has a great record at Chennai, went on to register a stroke filled 126 before being dismissed caught behind. Tendulkar's innings gave India the much-needed impetus after the dismissals of Das, Laxman and Ganguly. The 'Mumbai Maestro' was ably supported by the now confident Rahul Dravid. That innings of 180 at Eden Gardens seemed to have made a whole lot of difference to Rahul as he looked at complete ease during his innings. 'The Wall', though, was unfortunate to miss out on a well deserved century as he was dismissed for 81 giving a catch to Gilchrist behind the stumps of Gillespie's bowling. With some help from the lower order, India managed to reach 501 in their first innings, a lead of 110- not a huge one but a very vital one in the context of the match as India were to bat last on a wearing pitch.

Harbhajan Singh weaved his magic once again with the ball in Australia's second innings. The visitors kept getting starts but every time a partnership developed, the 'Turbanator' struck. In the end, Australia were bowled out for 264 with Harbhajan picking up a career best of 8-84. With this haul, Harbhajan had taken a total of 32 wickets in the series and gave India a great chance of clinching the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. All the batsmen needed to do were play sensibly and eek out 155 runs off the Australian attack. But it wasn't going to be easy considering India's tendency to collapse under pressure and Australia's fighting spirit.

The start for India wasn't ideal. Das went early caught and bowled by McGrath. But Laxman and Ramesh played without much trouble and took India to tea without any further damage. The post tea session, though, had some big drama in store. Ramesh and Laxman had a horrible mix up resulting in the former being run out. After that wickets kept tumbling one after the other. Sachin, Rahul and Sourav all fell in quick succession and plunged India into deep trouble. The crisis for India got worse as Laxman too went caught brilliantly by Mark Waugh for 66. The match was now wide open as Australia reduced India to 135/7 still needing 20 runs. But India made a fight back through a gritty 22 by Samir Dighe who played some good strokes and got away with a few lucky edges. If ever anybody deserved to hit the winning runs for India, it had to be Harbhajan Singh. The sardar did not let the team down as he sliced a ball on the off side for a couple and sparked off celebrations all over the country.

Australia's dream of beating the Indians in their home den remained a dream. Despite putting their best foot forward, Steve Waugh's men could not conquer the 'Final Frontier'. Even after losing the series, Waugh still described the series as the best he had ever played in and there was every reason for both the teams to fell so. In the end, India were just marginally better and deservedly lifted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.