It was a remarkable win for India by one run, but what will strike is the word chokers for South Africa as they were once again in a commanding position to win the second match of the series and so close to the world cup this will be major worry for Smith who became the most capped one day skipper.
Dhoni will be worried about the batting line up which seems to lack confidence, the fielding was not at its best which is going to be vital during the world cup, but what will please him is the character of the team as they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
India batted first and they were never allowed to go on the attack as the South African bowling and fielding was exceptional which makes them one of the favourites for the world cup. It was only Yuvraj who looked to be coming into good form but his half century was not going to be enough as they were all out for 190 inside the 50 overs.
With the retirement of Nitini having retired South Africa needed another Black-African player to stand up and perform and Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been getting better match by match and everyone in the country will be hoping he can follow the example of Nitini.
South Africa required a solid start and that is what they got even with Amla falling early, Smith looked in good form as he put on 59 with Ingram which looked to put the hosts on track for an easy win. Harbhajan removed Ingram and then Nehra removed De-Villiers but still it was South Africa’s control.
Smith went past 6,000 runs in ODIs - the fourth South African to do so and then reached 50 with a push into the on side. JP Duminy threw his wicket away as he tried to slog Rohit Sharma, but was happy to hand the aggressor's role over to David Miller, who drove the same bowler for six and then hit Harbhajan for four.
Smith departed for 77 when he played on to Patel, Another 39 needed and five wickets remaining, the hard work should have been done but Miller top-edged a pull shot straight to fine leg for 27 off 28 balls and Johan Botha was extraordinarily adjudged lbw to Zaheer Khan even though the ball never touched the pad.
Dale Steyn was carelessly run out leaving them needing 14 with two wickets in hand, and they were oh so close before Patel removed Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell, who hung his head in disbelief after slashing the ball straight to Yuvraj Singh at backward point.
It has been a sensational summer of cricket for South Africa as India have risen to every challenge South Africa have thrown to them. After the drubbing they received at Durban as they did in the first test is the same pattern following in the one day series but this time there will be a winner.
