Half-centuries from Michael Hussey and captain Ricky Ponting propelled a depleted Australia to a decent total in the third ODI.

Ponting, who opened the innings alongside Shane Watson (41), gave the visitors a steady start with a knock of 59, while Michael Hussey anchored the middle order with a businesslike 81 off 82 deliveries as Australia finished with a par 229 for five.

Ponting, who promoted himself up the order to replace wicketkeeper batsman Tim Paine who is nursing a broken finger, opted to make the most of another low and slow surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

The openers were constrained by the conditions as well as a fairly accurate line from India's bowlers, but their cautious approach helped build a solid platform.

Watson, rarely troubled by the new ball, showed glimpses of excellent form with a few fluent drives, while Ponting matched him shot for shot.

Yuvraj Singh finally broke that association with his left-arm spin, although equal credit ought to go to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Yuvraj induced Watson into a drive, but the ball spun past Watson's edge and Dhoni completed the dismissal with some smart work behind the stumps.

Dhoni used left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja inside the powerplay and had spinners operating from both ends once the fielding restrictions were removed.

Australia's batsmen were kept in check, but Ponting went on to reach his 72nd ODI half-century and put on 56 for the second wicket with Hussey.

He was eventually dismissed, trapped in front by Jadeja, and India struck another quick blow when Cameron White was then snared cheaply, Dhoni juggling an inside edge off the pad before eventually grasping the catch.

Adam Voges looked good during a stay which yielded 17, but perished to a catch in the deep while attempting an across-the-line swipe at Harbhajan Singh.

Debutant Moises Henriques (12), who was rushed in to replace Brett Lee, and Mitchell Johnson (nine not out) provided support as Hussey, who clubbed only two boundaries en route to his 27th ODI half-century, accelerated nicely at the death.