Mike Hussey scored his third successive fifty with 81 not out after skipper Ricky Ponting made a cautious 59 as opener to help injury-hit Australia post 229-5 after winning the toss.
India finished on 230 for four in 48.2 overs to take a 2-1 lead in the seven-game series.
Yuvraj struck eight fours and two sixes in his 42nd one-day fifty and raised 148 runs for the fourth wicket with Dhoni, who remained 71 not out after scoring a matchwinning 124 in the previous game in Nagpur.
The pair rescued the innings from 53 for three after Virender Sehwag (11), Sachin Tendulkar (32) and Gautam Gambhir (6) fell in succession.
The fourth match will be played in Mohali on Monday.
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