Brisbane, Feb 19 (IANS) Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni blamed the early loss of wickets for the crushing defeat against Australia in the seventh match of the One-day International tri-series here Sunday.

Dhoni(56) for the third time in the series had to come to India's rescue after Australia set a stiff target of 288. India lost Gautam Gambhir (5), Sachin Tendulkar (3), Virat Kohli (12) and Rohit Sharma (0) in no time to put the side in a precarious position.

"With that kind of score you needed a brisk start. They got early breakthroughs and that put pressure on us. Our bowlers were affected by the heat, they were cramping so it affected their execution," Dhoni said in the match presentation.

India were bowled out for just 178 runs giving Australia the top position in the table as well as a bonus point to take it four clear of second placed India.

"It happens. The two new balls make it a bit difficult so you have to respect that early on. It gets a bit easier to hit in the middle overs. You have to plan well."

Michael Hussey (59) top scored for the Australians and was given good company by Peter Forrest (52), together the two put on a century partnership.

Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus (5-33) was the star of the day recording his maiden five-wicket haul in his first ODI match since Nov 2009.

Captain Ricky Ponting, standing in for injured Michael Clarke, was pleased by his side's bowling performance after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankans in the last match.

"I thought our score was just above par. The Indians didn't hit that many boundaries so we were happy with that. We have turned the momentum back our way. We knew the pitch would offer a bit more at night. Great for Brett (Lee) the way he bowled," Ponting said of Lee's three-wicket haul.