With the series delicately poised, it was time for the third ODI, in Kanpur.
Pakistan won the toss and decided to field, but Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar gave India a platform with an opening stand of 68. Tendulkar was first out for 29, and Ganguly fell for 39, leaving Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh at the crease.
When Gambhir was dismissed for 25, Pakistan had hopes of keeping the score down. But Yuvraj and M.S. Dhoni then combined in a stand of 100 for the fourth wicket that helped put India in a strong position.
Dhoni, having struck two sixes and four fours, fell for 49. Yuvraj continued the attack until he too was out, for 77, having struck three sixes. The lower order added 34 more to help India close on 294/6. Sohail Tanvir was the best of the Pakistan bowlers with 2-26.
Pakistan had opener Salman Butt to thank for getting his side anywhere near their victory target. He made 129 in 142 balls, including 17 fours, before being leg before to Harbhajan Singh.
Unfortunately, he lacked someone to provide support, apart from Misbah-ul-Haq (38), who shared a stand of 80 for the fifth wicket with him. Misbah's departure prompted a collapse with the last six wickets going for the addition of 34 runs.
Butt was the penultimate wicket to fall in the 47th over. By then, the jig was well and truly up. That was confirmed three balls later, when Shoaib Akhtar was caught by a substitute fielder.
Pakistan were all out for 248 in the 48th over, meaning that India had won by 46 runs.
R.P. Singh was the most successful of the Indian bowlers, although relatively expensive at 3-62. It was, though, a team effort, with five others all claiming a wicket apiece.
Yuvraj was named Player of the Match for his innings that helped India go 2 – 1 up in the series.