Australia secure maiden World Test Championship final appearance

Victory over India in the third Test in Indore sees secures a berth at the Kia Oval in June

Australia have become the first side to book their place in the World Test Championship final after beating India in Indore.

The tourists wrapped up victory on day three of a whirlwind third Test, chasing down the 76 needed to claim a nine-wicket success.

After Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Usman Khawaja (0) in the first over of the chase, Travis Head (49) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) kept their cool to leave the series at 2-1 with one to play.

It is just the second victory away in India in the last 18 Tests for Australia. Though the Border-Gavakar Trophy is beyond their reach, the result keeps alive hopes of salvaging a series draw.

"I like captaining in this part of the world," said stand-in captain Steve Smith.

India had brief hope of setting up a close finish (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

"I think I understand a lot of the intricacies. It's a place where I really enjoy and I think I did a reasonable job this week.

"It's good to be in the WTC final but it's just about playing good cricket. Hopefully, we can finish the series well."

The result means Australia will take their place at the Kia Oval for the second WTC final between June 7-11.

India can join them for a second successive edition with victory in the fourth and final Test at Ahmedabad, which begins on March 9.

But a draw or defeat will leave the door open to Sri Lanka, who will qualify with a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand later this month should Rohit Sharma's side slip up.