The 4 most significant ODI wins for India outside ICC tournaments post-2000 

4. India vs South Africa, 3rd ODI, Capetown, 2011

Yusuf Pathan's splendid 59 helped India take the series lead in South Africa

While overseas success became more frequent for eam India during the decade of 2000 to 2010, the one tour that remained an Achilles heel for India was South Africa. Having never threatened to win an ODI series and even more than a match vs South Africa in South Africa, India entered the 3rd ODI with the series nodded at one apiece.

With a resounding win in Johannesburg in the second ODI defending just 180 odd, the question was always going to be if they can back up a rare win in South Africa or fall apart like so many of the previous Indian teams.

The toss which is usually crucial in day-night matches in Cape Town was won by South Africa and they batted first as expected, given the difficulties of chasing under lights. However, a disciplined bowling performance by India restricted South Africa to a modest 220 all out. Sensing a real opportunity to go up in a series in South Africa for the first time, the Indian chase began on a positive note with the 50 coming up at the loss of just one wicket.

However, the expected collapse followed soon and India were reeling at 68-4 and 93-5. Then, a counter attacking partnership between Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina of 75 got India back in with a chance. Just when victory seemed within reach, both perished at inopportune times to hand the slender advantage back to the home team.

However, an inspired Indian tail lead by the clutch Harbhajan singh along with useful cameos from Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra finished the job and won India the match by 2 wickets resulting in a 2-1 lead in the five match series.

Though, the Proteas eventually ended up winning the last two games and the series 3-2, this was India's best performance then in South Africa in a ODI series and this win in particular showed India were on their way to conquer South Africa as well which eventually happened in the recently concluded ODI series.