India clinch victory in last ball thriller

India did just enough to finish on the winning side, despite a massive effort from Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn, who almost pulled of a miraculous victory for the Proteas.

South Africa won the toss and put India in, with the dew factor in mind. India started poorly, losing the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar to a horrible mix-up with Virender Sehwag but Dinesh Karthik did well to support Sehwag as the two added 79 runs for the second wicket. The Proteas struck back with three quick wickets and India were in a precarious situation once again. Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina had to put on a stand and they did not disappoint. The pair added 66 runs for the fifth wicket before Kohli was dismissed just as India were getting ready to take the Power Play. India managed 48 runs off the Batting Power Play and were on course for a grand finish. The South African bowlers did well in the Extreme Performance overs, picking up wickets at regular intervals and reducing India to 298 for nine at the end of 50 overs.

South Africa started well on course in their run chase. They managed 60 runs in that period, having lost the wicket of Loots Bosman. India struck again at the end of the Power Play, getting the wicket of Herschelle Gibbs, which helped stem the flow of runs. AB de Villiers and Alviro Peterson got off to starts but failed to stay in the middle for long. MS Dhoni sensed the opportunity and brought back his strike bowlers and the move worked as India got Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher and Johan Botha in a span of seven overs. Jaques Kallis led the charge with the lower order but got out at a crucial stage with only two wickets left. India looked like they would cruise to victory as reflected on the Castrol Index, but a mammoth effort from Wayne Parnell and Dale Steyn, who added a record 65 off just 38 balls for the ninth wicket, kept them in the contest till the last over. But Pravin Kumar held his nerve better under Extreme Pressure, giving India victory by one run.