South Africa beat India in Emerging Players tourney

Opener Ajinkya Rahane's classy 92 went in vain as India slumped to a four-wicket defeat against South Africa in their fourth 50-over match of the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane on Sunday.

Opener Ajinkya Rahane's classy 92 went in vain as India slumped to a four-wicket defeat against South Africa in their fourth 50-over match of the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane on Sunday.

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Put in to bat, India made 271 for six, thanks mainly to Rahane's 120-ball 92, which he made with the help of five fours and a six. Naman Ojha (48), captain S Badrinath (44) and Abhishek Nayar (42) were the other notable contributors.

In reply, South Africa made 274 for six in 48.3 overs to win the match comfortably with three players -- Stein van Zyl (60), Vaughn van Jaarsveld (50) and Farhaan Behardien (50) -- scoring a half century each at the Albury Oval.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of Indian bowlers with figures of three for 39 while Pradeep Sangwan, Badrinath and Virat Kohli scalped one wicket each.

The Indians were in for a chance to win the match after they reduced South Africa to 56 for two, but the Protea third wicket stand of 82 runs between van Zyl and captain van Jaarsveld changed the complexion of the game.