Muralitharan then snapped up the wickets of Gambhir (43), Sourav Ganguly, Dinesh Karthik and Anil Kumble.
An imperious four past gully from Gambhir off Johnson brought up the fifty partnership in just 13 overs.
The replay shows Mitchell cut his fingers across the ball, biting on the pitch and dissecting Gambhir's defence.
The run-rate dropped to well below three runs per over and Gambhir, in particular, looked a little uncomfortable.
Gautam Gambhir and captain Rahul Dravid both hit 103 as India totalled 285-8, with Farveez Maharoof taking 4-20.
Virender Sehwag is looking a pale shadow of his imperious past, and the talented Gautam Gambhir is hesitant.
Australia could not have wished for a better start but with Gambhir joined by Tendulkar, India began to relax.
All that seemed to matter on the final day was enabling Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh to reach centuries.
He quickly had a boundary to his name, courtesy of some abysmal fielding on the boundary by Gautam Gambhir.
Despite Gautam Gambhir's 68 India were struggling on 201-7 with 10 overs left.
There are fitness concerns about opener Gautam Gambhir, who has a groin strain.
India raced to 25-0 from four overs with Gautam Gambhir hitting two fours.
Gambhir soon burst into life and the pair dispatched every loose delivery, their running between the wickets was exemplary.
Virender Sehwag (43 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (20 not out) had helped India reach 68-0 when rain curtailed play.
Gambhir was next to go, cutting a ball to third man to deliver a first Test wicket to Shafiul Islam.
Gautam Gambhir (50) and Rohit Sharma (36) started well before Yuvraj Singh's 41 off 18 balls helped India to 180-5.
The damage was done by Gautam Gambhir (97) and Yuvraj Singh (86), who put on 153 for the fifth wicket.
India began in unspectacular fashion, with Virender Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh all going cheaply as they stumbled to 51-3.
Gautam Gambhir shared 61 in eight overs with Yuvraj Singh and remained unbeaten on 85, his fourth one-day half century.
Chasing 215-5, opener Gautam Gambhir struck 55 but India lost six wickets in 5.2 overs as they limped to 186-9.
Gambhir plays all round what looks like a very innocent straight, full ball and the death rattle rings around the ground.
India captain Mahendra Dhoni heaped praise on Yuvraj and Gambhir after the pair put on 134 runs for the fourth wicket.
Virender Sehwag (85) and Gautam Gambhir (51) gave India a fine start before Yuvraj hit 138 not out off 78 balls.
Meanwhile, India showed they were not immune from injuries, with opening batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag picking up minor problems.
There is certainly competition for the claim from the likes of Chris Gayle and Gautam Gambhir, but Watson is leading the pack.
FORBES: Shane Watson Rewards Sponsors With ICC World T20 Dominance
Gambhir spanks him down to fine leg for four but falls attempting the same shot when he directs it straight at Flintoff.
Yuvraj Singh cracked an eye-catching 86 and Gautam Gambhir a patient 97 as the pair put on 153 for the fifth wicket.
Both players fell short, Yuvraj being run out for 86 and Gambhir being caught by Ian Bell off Graeme Swann for 97.
BBC: SPORT | Cricket | England | Dhoni defends delayed declaration
Having played an accompanying role to the bold Uthappa, Gambhir completed his fifty from 76 balls and started to play with more freedom.
Katich was dropped by Gautam Gambhir at short leg on just five, while Ponting survived a huge appeal for a catch at leg slip.
应用推荐