The suicidal run-out of Australian opening batsman Aaron Finch opened the door for the Indians to win their first game of the tour by eight wickets at the MCG last night.

India had two deliveries to spare in the second Twenty20 international with 2-135, heading off Australia’s all out 131.

Finch was the difference.

The bubble-gum chewing Victorian raced to 36 off 23 with six crunching fours before answering a bad call from partner David Hussey. There was a run in it: half each.

Finch’s dismissal was both a tragedy and poor cricket. He was the only Australian batsman in control of a revitalised Indian bowling attack, much sharper fielding, and excellent pressure captaincy from MS Dhoni.

Had Finch remained there’s no doubt Australia would have reached 150 and beyond – a very defendable target.

The Finch dismissal triggered three more run-outs, each one as farcical as the other.

Skipper George Bailey, desperately needing some runs, was run-out for 3 thanks to another poor Hussey call. Matt Wade survived a photo-finish before he’d scored, but went on to score 32 off 29 before he became the third run-out victim. And Xavier Doherty was the fourth, attempting a senseless second run in the final over.

Run outs are inexcusable. Four of them disgraceful.

But full marks to India. For the first time on tour, they turned up to play.

Especially Ravindra Jadeja.

Two bullet-like and pin-point accurate returns ran out Finch and Bailey, while his equally accurate left-arm orthodox spin captured 1-16 off 3. The 23-year-old rightfully won the man-of-the-match award.

Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir came close with his unbeaten 56 off 60 in a welcome return to form.

Now the scene is set for a maximum 15 ODIs between Australia, India, and Sri Lanka, starting tomorrow, with Australia-India at the MCG in a day-nighter.

The three senior Australian batsmen, Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, and Mike Hussey, come into the side, along with Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, and the bolter Peter Forrest.

Missing from the Twenty20 squad – George Bailey, Shaun Marsh, Brad Hogg, and Aaron Finch, who should be there. He’s an exciting prospect for all three formats.

It will be interesting to see how spectators vote with their feet during the ODI series. The two Twenty20 internationals have set the pace with a record 59,659 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on a wet day, and 62,275 at the MCG last night.