Maxwell's entertaining innings

Glenn Maxwell's latest whirlwind cameo should end debate about his best batting spot in Australia's one-day team, coach Justin Langer says.

Maxwell, batting at No.7, blasted 48 from 37 balls in Australia's six-wicket loss to India in the second Gillette ODI on Tuesday.

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Maxwell's knock, combined with Shaun Marsh's brilliant 131 from 123 deliveries, helped Australia post 9-298 at Adelaide Oval.

But India, guided by Virat Kohli's 104 and the masterly finishing touches of MS Dhoni (55 from 54 balls) claimed victory to level the series at one-all ahead of the deciding fixture in Melbourne on Friday.

Kohli, Dhoni too good for the Aussies

In the series-opener, Maxwell faced just five balls, prompting critics to deem his No.7 batting spot as a waste of his talent.

But in Adelaide, Maxwell came to the crease in the 38th over and proved the No.7 slot was his "perfect position", Langer said.

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"I remember the days when Michael Clarke used to bat seven and Michael Hussey used to bat seven," Langer said.

"I used to muck around with Huss saying, 'mate, you have got the best job in the world, you never bat, you get paid a fortune but you never bat because the team is going so well'.

"But when Maxi can come in an put the finishing touches on like he does, for me it's the perfect position."

Justin Langer pays credit to India

Langer said Australia had tried numerous batting orders in the past two years - a period coinciding with six consecutive ODI series losses - but hadn't struck the right combination.

"We haven't had the success we'd like to and we're trying different things," he said.

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"And for me, Maxi, he's probably the best fielder in the world, we love it, it's contagious his energy.

"He has been captain of the (Melbourne) Stars, he has got good leadership qualities as well.

Masterful Marsh hits another ODI ton

"So if he can come in and put the finishing touches on like he does, it's always a nervous time for an opposition (when) you still know you you have got a Glenn Maxwell or a Mike Hussey ... coming in down at seven.

"Maxy will be a very important part of our team if we're to win the World Cup.

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"I honestly think, despite the debate, that is his best spot in our team for us at the moment and we'll flick him in (earlier) every now and then when we need a little cameo."

Gillette ODI Series v India

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa

India ODI squad: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

First ODI: Australia won by 34 runs

Second ODI: India win by six wickets

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)