Yuvraj Singh's brilliant century went in vain as South Africa kept themselves on course for a world record unbeaten run with a thrilling five-wicket victory over India in the first one-dayer today.
The hosts recovered from a precarious 35 for five to post a competitive 249 for nine riding on Yuvraj's 122-ball 103 but the South Africans kept their nerves to overhaul the target with seven balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
South Africa relied on the experienced Jacques Kallis (68 not out) to steer the team home in what turned out to be a close contest at the newly constructed Rajiv Gandhi Stadium while captain Graeme Smith (48 off 35 balls) and Ashley Prince (46) were the other notable contributors.
The Proteas had the game under control right through the run chase although they did lose a couple of quick wickets in the middle stages. The Indians, however, could not capitalise on the breakthroughs.
Kallis slammed paceman Ajit Agarkar, who was the most successful Indian bowler with2-55, to the boundary to bring about the victory in style. South Africa made 252 for five in 48.5 overs.
The African team is now just two matches away from breaking Australia's record of winning 21 matches on the trot. They are now unbeaten in 20 matches (17 wins, two no-results and a tie).
The Indians, coming into the series on the back of a splendid 6-1 series triumph over Sri Lanka, found the going tough right from the word go when they were put in to bat on a juicy track that offered considerable assistance tothe fast bowlers early on. But the wicket eased out as the day progressed and the South African batsmen took full advantage of the conditions.
Needing to score at nearly five runs an overs, the South Africans were off to a flier with Smith leading the charge with some aggressive batting.
He slammed nine fours in his quickfire knock to rattle the Indians and provide a good platform to his team to build upon.
Irfan Pathan, who made 46 and shared a valuable 75-run partnership with Yuvraj, found himself at the receiving end and conceded as many as 37 runs from his first four overs, forcing skipper Rahul Dravid to pull him out of the attack.
It was R.P. Singh who got rid of Smith, the South African skipper dragging one on to his stumps in a spectacular fashion.
With the Indians already a bowler short as they had substituted Murali Kartik with Gautam Gambhir, Dravid used as many as seven bowlers including Sachin Tendulkar who did give the team the wicket of Mark Boucher in the 35th over. But then it was hardly enough.
The highlight of the South African innings was the sedate knock by Kallis who concentrated on building partnerships without taking too many risks.