Andrew Symonds was man of the match, scoring an unbeaten 107 off 88 balls as Australia defeated India by 18 runs in Nagpur.

In reply to the tourists' 8-317 from 50 overs, the Indians were sailing along at 1-189 before Brad Hogg (4-49 off 10 overs) ripped through the Indian middle order and the hosts finished on 7-299 from their allotted overs.

The Australians have a 4-1 lead heading into the final match and captain Ricky Ponting has suggested in the past they would at least bring in pacemen Stuart Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus for the dead rubber.

Matthew Hayden missed Sunday's match with hip soreness and he might be rested again as a pre-cautionary measure which will allow Brad Haddin to keep his spot in the side.

Ponting was very happy to have sealed the series before the final clash at Wankhede Stadium.

"Our cricket has been very very good and I am very proud of what we have achieved," Ponting said.

"It is not an easy thing to do to win in this part of the world."

AAP