Twenty-20 International South Africa v India, 2006 Neil Manthorp

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At Johannesburg, December 1, 2006 (day/night). India won by six wickets. Toss: South Africa. Twenty20 international debuts: T. Henderson; India (all).

India gained some consolation for their earlier thrashings by edging their first Twenty20 international with a ball to spare. The pitch was damp, and encouraged the seamers - not really the right recipe for a cracking 20-over game. An understrength South Africa battled to 126, but Zaheer Khan revelled in the conditions - the 15 runs he conceded equalled the record for the tightest four-over spell in the short history of these games - and was well supported by Agarkar and Tendulkar, whose gentle dobbers were as effective as the faster bowling. Sehwag hit out, but India's victory was set up by measured innings from Mongia and Karthik, who virtually sealed the win by hitting the first ball of the last over, bowled by Peterson, into the stands.

Man of the Match: K. D. Karthik.

Neil Manthorp is a South African broadcaster and journalist, and head of the MWP Sport agency

© John Wisden & Co.

Matches

South Africa v India at Johannesburg

Series/Tournaments

India tour of South Africa

Teams

India

South Africa