India score dramatic one run win over South Africa
By IANSSunday, February 21, 2010
JAIPUR - India defeated South Africa by one run in a dramatic last-ball finish in the first One-day International at Sawai Mansingh Stadium here Sunday.
South Africa, chasing a victory target of 299 runs, almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat before being bowled out for 297 in the last ball of a tense final over bowled by Praveen Kumar (2-46).
The visitors needed 10 runs from the last over, and two from the last ball to tie the match. Wayne Parnell (49 off 47 balls), who brought the match alive with a 65-run ninth wicket stand with Dale Steyn (35 off 19 balls), guided the ball to the third man boundary and went for a double. S. Sreesnath kept his nerve and threw the ball to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who took the bails off in a flash as the crowd erupted in spontaneous celebration.
Kumar bowled an excellent last over, dismissing Steyn with the second ball. Last man Charl Langeveldt’s shot was then brilliantly saved from a certain boundary by a diving Sachin Tendulkar in the fine leg, for which they took three runs.
South Africa were almost out of the hunt when Jacques Kallis, after scoring a stroke filed 89 off 97 balls, was bowled by Sreesnath, who took two wickets but proved to be too expensive, giving away 74 runs.
The visitors were off to a good start as Loots Bosman (29) and Herschelle Gibbs (27), riding on their luck, scored 58 runs in 8.4 overs. But after that they lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to five for 142. Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers taking two wickets giving 29 runs.
Earlier, India, after being asked to bat, rode on useful contributions from the top order to post a competitive total.
The Indian innings revolved around Suresh Raina, who top scored with 58, Virender Sehwag (46) and Dinesh Karthik (44) while Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) and Virat Kohli (31) provided them support.
All the batsmen except Sachin Tendulkar, who was unfortunately run out for 4, got a good start but failed to convert it into a big score, leaving the lower order to take charge in the crucial end overs.
India scored at a good pace but South Africa did not allow any partnership to flourish. Jacques Kallis, who is leading the side in place of injured Graeme Smith, took three wickets.
Sehwag and Karthik added 79 runs in quick time after India lost Tendulkar with just 10 runs on the board.
Sehwag struck six fours and two sixes in his 37-ball innings, but he too, was run out.
Karthik, who hit five fours and one six, and Dhoni then kept the scoring rate moving before the former was dismissed by fast bowler Charl Langeveldt. Dhoni followed Karthik to the pavilion, becoming the first victim of Kallis.
Raina and Kohli kept up the good job with a brisk 66-run stand for the fifth wicket. With both at the crease India reached the 200-mark in the 35th over and were eyeing a big total but South Africa struck back with crucial blows.
Kohli left with Herschelle Gibbs taking a fine low catch at short mid-wicket off Morne Morkel.
Yusuf Pathan (18), who was making a comeback to the Indian team, did not stay for long, falling to left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell.
Left-handed Raina, who hit six fours and one six in his 63-ball knock, was the next to go, dismissed by Kallis.
Ravindra Jadeja (22), Praveen Kumar (13) and Ashish Nehra (16) then chipped in to take India closer to a competitive total.
