Photographs: REUTERS / Siphiwe Sibeko
Rain played spoilsport as South Africa beat India by 11 runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method in the one-off T20 in Johannesburg on Friday.
Chasing South Africa's 219 for four, India were 71 for no loss in 7.5 overs, 11 runs behind the par score under the D/L method, when rain intervened.
Earlier, South Africa demolished the Indian bowling, amassing 219 for 4 in their 20 overs.
Collin Ingram (78 off 50) and Jacques Kallis (61 off 42) led the onslaught.
Electing to bowl first seemed to backfire on M S Dhoni, as the duo added 119 runs for the second wicket in just 13.2 overs.
Ingram stitches big partnership with Kallis
Image: Irfan Pathan (left) celebrates with teammate Suresh Raina (right) after the dismissal of Richard LeviPhotographs: REUTERS / Siphiwe Sibeko
Levi slammed India seamers Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan for two boundaries each in the first two overs.
However, Pathan got his revenge when he had Levi caught by Rohit Sharma at first slip.
Levi smashed as many as four boundaries during his stay at the crease.
Ontong, Behardien prop SA
Image: Jacques Kallis acknowledges the crowd after being dismissedPhotographs: REUTERS / Siphiwe Sibeko
India eventually broke the Kallis-Ingram partnership when R Ashwin struck in the 15th over.
Kallis was looking to send an Ashwin delivery over the boundary, but ubfortunately the ball went right into the hands of Rohit Sharma on the line.
Kallis's downfall saw the introduction of debutant Farhaan Behardien.
Ingram followed Kallis to the pavilion two overs later. But the platform they set allowed Behardien (20 off 11), Justin Ontong (22 off 7) and Albie Morkel (16 off 3) to swing their bats and aim for a 200-plus total.
Raina was given maximum punishment at the death when 26 runs were taken off his over.
Indian openers off to a flier
Image: Gautam Gambhir congratulates teammate Robin UthappaPhotographs: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Gautam Gambhir led India's riposte with a quickfire 49 off 28 balls, while Robin Uthappa gave him good company, adding unbeaten 71 runs, before heavens opened up.
After a rather quiet first over in which India could manage just seven runs, Gambhir slammed Albie Morkel for two boundaries and a six to put them on track.
There were a couple of quite overs after that but Gambhir's aggressive approach at the crease kept the South African bowlers at bay.
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