India squeeze home

Virender Sehwag
12 April 2012

India held their nerve in a tense finish to clinch a narrow one-run victory over South Africa in Jaipur and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

India, asked to bat first, began well with Virender Sehwag (46) and Dinesh Karthik (44) laying a solid foundation, while Suresh Raina (58) helped consolidate with his 15th ODI half-century as India made 298 for nine.

Jacques Kallis, who had starred with a three-wicket haul earlier, gave chase with a spirited 89, but his dismissal in the 43rd over hampered South Africa's hopes.

Wayne Parnell (49 off 47 deliveries) and Dale Steyn (35 from 19) pushed India to the brink with a 65-run stand for the ninth wicket in just over six overs, but the visitors eventually fell narrowly short.

Following the early dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar, India rebuilt through Sehwag and Karthik, the latter providing impetus with a stroke-filled stay.

That association yielded 79, before South Africa, thoroughly professional in the field right through, had Sehwag run out, before Langeveldt, a late addition to the South Africa squad, then removed Karthik, while Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26), batting up the order, offered flashiness, but little substance in a brief stay.

Virat Kohli and Raina again lifted the hosts with a 66-run stand, but Yusuf Pathan (18) flattered to deceive Ravindra Jadeja's (22) dismissal shortly after saw the home side finish about 30 runs short of what they would have wanted.

Herschelle Gibbs (27) and Loots Bosman (29) blazed away at the start of South Africa's reply, the openers hammering India's bowlers around the park as they added 58 in fairly quick time.

AB de Villiers (25) had shown intent and purpose, adding 45 with Kallis for the third wicket, but his innings was ended by Jadeja. The wheels then came off South Africa's chase as the middle-order fell apart and Kallis too eventually fell in the 43rd over - bowled by Sreesanth.

South Africa needed 74 to win from seven overs at that stage before Parnell and Steyn's astounding partnership took the game down to the wire. But was not enough as Parnell was run out off the last delivery while attempting a second run as India emerged winners.

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