It's taken four Tests and two T20s but on Friday India eventually sealed the first win of their tour Down Under - and in style too - with an eight-wicket victory at the MCG.

There was no sign of the lethargic, uninspired outfit that has done the rounds thus far, with MS Dhoni's men backing up a lively showing in the field with an assured batting display as they eased to victory.

The early signs appeared to suggest there was more woe on the way for the Indians, with George Bailey winning the toss and deciding to bat first up on a wicket that looked like it had plenty of runs in it.

But while the hosts got off to a rollicking start in the first T20, there were no early fireworks this time around. David Warner (eight) fell early and Shaun Marsh followed soon after, continuing his horror run with yet another duck.

Aaron Finch came into the line-up and opened in place of Matthew Wade - man of the match last time out - and looked solid for his 36 before some poor calling from David Hussey saw him run out. Ravindra Jadeja was the man who did the fielding and the youngster personified a vastly improved fielding performance that put previous Indian showings to shame.

After Jadeja put Hussey's frustrating knock of 24 to a close with a meek caught and bowled, Wade notched up 32 before he too was run out. Fittingly the innings ended with a run out too - one of four - as Australia limped to 131.

One felt that if Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir could get India off to a solid start, a win for the visitors would be hard to prevent and that proved just the case.

The opening duo put up 43 for the first wicket in under seven overs before Sehwag (23) carved a Brad Hogg full toss to extra cover. But the foundation had been laid and first Virat Kohli (37) and then MS Dhoni ( 21*) joined Gambhir (56*) in leading India home.

It was only in the final two overs that the Indians looked uncomfortable. Strangely, with just three needed from 12 balls, Gambhir and Dhoni suddenly seemed unable to get the ball away. The equation proved impossible to defend though and Gambhir worked the third to last delivery through the in-field to spark the celebrations.

It was an odd display from the Australians, they faulted in all aspects and were thoroughly out-fielded by their opponents, a situation few would have thought possible. The move to a specialist Twenty20 team has heralded mixed results for the Aussies and the path forward is certainly not clear.

For India some much-needed confidence will have been gained ahead of the upcoming Tri-Series with Sri Lanka and Australia.