Patel And Yuvraj Star In Thrilling Indian Victory

Patel And Yuvraj Star In Thrilling Indian Victory

Munaf Patel (left) celebrates having bowled Graeme Smith

©REUTERS/Rogan Ward (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

India 190 (Yuvraj Singh 53, Tsotsobe 4-22) beat
South Africa 189 (Smith 77, Patel 4-29) by 1 run
Second One-Day International, Johannesburg
Scorecard

India levelled their One-Day International series with South Africa in dramatic circumstances with a one-run victory in the second match in Johannesburg.

Batting first, India scored 190 with Yuvraj Singh scored a half-century and Yuvraj then took the winning catch as South Africa were dismissed for 189 having at one point been 152 for four.

Munaf Patel proved to be one of India's heroes as he returned four for 29, including the final wicket when Wayne Parnell (12) could only find Yuvraj at cover as he attempted to win the match at the end of the 43rd over.

Yuvraj made 53 in 68 balls to prop up India's innings, which saw only the top six batsmen reach double figures. Sachin Tendulkar, playing his record-equalling 443rd ODI, made 24, Murali Vijay 16, Virat Kohli 22, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni 38 and Suresh Raina 11.

Left-arm quick Lonwabo Tsotsobe proved impressive with the ball, as he had in the opening match in Durban, returned four wickets - dismissing Vijay, Yuvraj, Dhoni and Raina - for just 22 runs as India lost four wickets for 13 runs during their batting Power Play.

There were two wickets for Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as South Africa appeared to put themselves in a strong position at the halfway stage.

Like India, they then lost wickets throughout their run chase but were always handily placed thanks to Graeme Smith's half-century. Smith, captaining South Africa for a record 139th ODI, made 77 in 98 balls before he was bowled by Patel.

Patel also removed Hashim Amla for four before returning late on to also dismiss Morkel as his career-best figures bowled India to victory.

Before that, Colin Ingram's 25 and David Miller 27 seemed to putting South Africa on course before they lost their last five wickets for 29 runs.

They also failed to maximise the batting Power Play, losing three wickets for 20 runs.

India's win marked an impressive turnaround - not just in the match itself - but because it followed South Africa's 135-run win in the opening match in Durban.

© Cricket World 2011