India beat South Africa by 21 runs

An injury-hit India produced all-round performance to slash up an emphatic 21-run triumph over South Africa in the only twenty20 international.

Playing without regular openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, India ride on a brilliant half-century by Rohit Sharma (53 off 34 balls) and Suresh Raina's racy 23-ball 41 to post a competitive 168 for six after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat.

The visitors then returned to contain South Africa to 147 for nine in the stipulated 20 overs to complete the victory at the Moses Mabhida Stadium here.

Ashish Nehra and Yusuf Pathan chimed in with two wickets each to contribute to the cause.

For South Africa, opener Morne van Wyk blasted a whrilwind 39-ball 67 comprising five fours and as many sixes but he didn't get support from the other end as the hosts fell short by 21 runs in the end.

van Wyk then sent one Ashwin delivery flying over the deep midwicket for a six to complete his half-century in just 24 balls, registering the fastest fifty by a South African in twenty20 cricket.

India and South Africa will next play the five-match ODI series starting here on Wednesday.