Gambhir's 63 came from 52 balls

India beat Australia by seven wickets in the Twenty20 International in Mumbai, Gautam Gambhir hitting 63.

Australia had posted 166-5 in their 20 overs, captain Ricky Ponting top-scoring with 76.

But India won with 11 balls to spare as they eased to victory with Australia uncharacteristally sloppy in the field.

The Indian opener enjoyed a 82-run partnership with Robin Uthappa (35), Yuvraj Singh hit an unbeaten on 31 as India won for the first time at home.

Australia had won the toss and Ponting led the way with a 53-ball 76 which included 14 fours before he edged Irfan Pathan onto his stumps.

Despite losing Adam Gilchrist in the first over, Australia got off to a typically bullish start, reaching 58-1 off six overs, before Matthew Hayden (17) edged a Harbhajan Singh delivery onto his stumps.

Ponting then put on 50 with Andrew Symonds before the latter was run out for 20 by Harbhajan as the batsmen dithered in the middle.

Ponting and Michael Clarke (25 not out) ensured Australia finished with a competitive total despite the best efforts of Harbhajan (1-17).

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India lost Virender Sehwag (5) early on, edging Brett Lee behind, but were in three figures before the next wicket fell, Robin Uthappa doing the same to a Clarke delivery.

After Gambhir went with 24 needed from 26 balls, is fell to Youvraj Singh and Mahendra Dhoni to steer the hosts, World Twenty20 champions, to victory, which they did with a series of huge boundaries.

India captain Mahnedra Dhoni: "We were superb today. We wanted to prove the World Cup victory was not a fluke and we did just that.

"Gautam played excellently - the way he batted was amazing. I hope he bats the same in the Pakistan series.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting: "Their spinners bowled well in the middle [of our innings] and we did not get enough runs. Then, while bowling, we gave away no-balls and they scored off the free hits.

"The Indians bowled and batted well, they deserved to win the game. I guess they are not the world champions in this format for nothing.