India win by the skin of their teeth
Fate as they always say is fickled mistress. The first match of any series is important as it not gives the momentum for the winning side but sets the tone for the matches to come in that particular tourney. It was a perfect start to a tourney that saw two evenly matched teams slogging it out in the middle, yet Indians prevailed by the skin of their teeth—walking away with a one-run win.
Gritty South Africa’s chase of 299 for a win literally went down to the wire with No. 9 Wayne Parnell slamming a blistering 47-ball 49 and Dale Steyn scoring more than a run a ball in his 35 off 19 to take them dangerously close to the Indian total. Once again, India’s M.S. Dhoni led from the front, held his and his’ team’s nerves after the SA openers Loots Bosman (29) and Deccan Chargers’ Herschelle Gibbs (27) kickstarted the proceedings for the tourists. Then Jacques Kallis took on the reigns with a mature knock much expected from a player of his stature. His 89 of 97 had six fours and a scintillating sixer but a solitary run proved to be the only difference.
The home team bowled with a lot of heart despite not having much assistance from the fielding department on a day when 299 was not going to make much of a difference. Ravindra Jadeja bowled with a lot of flight and purpose, his figures of 10-2-29-2 suggests the same.
Earlier, South Africa won an important and chose to field in the first ODI, knowing fully well that the dew factor will come into play in the second session of play.
While South African bowlers bowled with venom, it was more due to Indian team’s inconsistency that led to their downfall. First to go was Sachin Tendulkar who failed to judge a single and was back in the hut, moments after the lapse in judgement. Nothing in this world upsets the apple-cart  of Virender Sehwag who went about his innings in an inimitable fashion. Six boundaries and a couple of sixes later, it was the turn of Sehwag to be found short of the crease, though this time Langeveldt was lucky to get his hand to a return shot of partner Dinesh Karthik drive, that upset the citadels. With Sehwag gone, India were 89 for 2 in the 15th over.
With Karthik and skipper Dhoni departing without a significant stand, it was left to young guns Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina to repair the damage. The duo added 66 at 5.01 runs an over and by the time Kohli departed to a stunner by Herschelle Gibbs, Indians were looking at Yusuf Pathan to bat out the hosts till the very end. But his usual cameo of 18 off 13 did not do anything significant. From 231 for 6, India managed only 298 for 9 in 50 overs which just proved to be enough! But, only just!
