5 Instances when India won a game by 1 run

South Africa v India at Johannesburg, 15 January 2011

MS Dhoni during the game

It was the 2nd ODI of India’s tour of South Africa. India won the toss and decided to bat first. MS Dhoni was the captain of the Indian side while the South African side was led by Graeme Smith. South Africa were 1-0 in the series having won the first game. India started slowly and lost the wicket of Murali Vijay early in the game with only 21 on board in the 8th over.

Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar were involved in a 42 run partnership before both were dismissed within a gap of only four runs. Then, it was MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, who added 83 runs, before India lost Yuvraj Singh when they were on 150 in 37th over. With 13 overs to go, India were eyeing a 250+ target, but what ensued after Yuvraj Singh’s dismissal was a collapse no one expected. India could make only 190 runs in 47.2 overs with Lonwabo Tsotsobe picking up 4 wickets for just 22 runs.

In reply, once again it was Amla who was dismissed early. Ingram and de Villiers fell after starts and Duminy’s wicket meant the Proteas had lost four wickets for 120 runs in the 25th over. South Africa were in full control having made 152-5 in 32 over and Smith was still playing on 77 with David Miller on the other end. However, the first ball of the 33rd over saw Smith getting bowled by Munaf Patel.

It was Miller who followed his captain an over later, only to be followed by Botha two overs later. South Africa had gone down to 163-7 in 36th over. After another three overs, Steyn was run-out and South Africa still required 14 to win. An 11-run partnership between Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell brought South Africa within 3 runs of victory.

That is where Munaf Patel removed Morne Morkel. In came the last man, Tsotsobe, who got a single of the second ball he faced. It was now Wayne Parnell who needed 1 run to tie the scores. Parnell played a shot on the last ball of the 43rd over which went straight to Yuvraj Singh, who took a neat catch. India won the game by 1 run. Munaf Patel for his brilliant bowling under pressure (4-29) was adjudged the Man of the Match.