India's bowling star Harbhajan Singh hit the winning runs amid nerve-wracking tension to give the hosts a dramatic two-wicket win in the final Test against Australia in Madras yesterday.
The 20-year-old, who picked up 32 wickets in the three-Test series, cut Glenn McGrath for two runs to clinch a 2-1 series victory for India an hour after tea on the fifth day.
It was Australia's first defeat in a Test series since the 1-0 loss in Sri Lanka in August, 1999. They have not won in India since Bill Lawry's team secured a 3-1 win in 1969.
Harbhajan and debutant wicket-keeper Sameer Dighe, who remained unbeaten on 22, kept their cool after India, chasing a target to 155, collapsed to 151-8.
India had earlier appeared set for an easier win when Venkatsai Laxman's 66 lifted them to 101-2 midway through the post-lunch session.
But the valiant Australians grabbed six wickets for 50 runs, including frontline batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, captain Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, to launch a brilliant fightback.
As 45,000 boisterous home fans cheered every run, Dighe smashed Colin Miller for two consecutive fours and edged McGrath through the slips to narrow the margin.
"It was one of the most fantastic series I have played in," Waugh said, but added he was disappointed at not realising his dream of winning his country's first series on Indian soil in 32 years.
"I would not be honest if I said I am not disappointed. Of course I am a bit sad that we could not win."
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