India and South Africa kicked off the ICC Champions Trophy with a Group B clash in Cardiff on Thursday.
The Proteas won the toss and made India bat first but the Asian side enjoyed success early on as both openers passed 50.
Despite losing a number of wickets in the middle overs, Shikhar Dhawan's brilliant 114 from 96 balls helped India post an imposing total of 331.
South Africa lost both openers inside the powerplay but a good partnership between Robin Peterson (68) and AB de Villiers (70) reignited hopes that the target could be chased down.
However, wickets fell at regular intervals and despite a valiant half-century from Ryan McLaren (71*), the Proteas were finally dismissed for 305 to confirm a 26-run defeat.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded in Cardiff.
Good morning everyone. It's the first morning of what is likely to be the final ICC Champions Trophy. There doesn't seem to be a clear favourite this year and that could make the next 17 days very interesting. Sports Mole will be here to take you all the way to the final.
Before we look any further forward, it's time to focus on today's game. Two of the top three teams in the world face each other in Cardiff and it promises to be a fascinating start to the tournament.
India have looked very impressive heading into this tournament and thrashed Australia in a warm-up match earlier this week. South Africa have been hit by injuries but you'd be foolish to dismiss the Proteas.
SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE TOSS AND BOWL FIRST
BREAKING NEWS: Dale Steyn misses out for South Africa due to that troublesome side strain. Full team news to follow shortly.
It's quite cloudy in Cardiff at the moment, so that decision to bowl from AB de Villiers seems to make plenty of sense. A victory really would be massive for either side at the beginning of the tournament.
India skipper MS Dhoni at the toss: "We were looking to bowl first also but it's not everything to lose the toss. It won't make much difference if it remains like this."
De Villiers on Steyn: "He should be fit very soon. We don't want to risk him for the whole tournament. We might need him in the next couple of matches."
INDIA: Dhawan, Rohit, Kohli, Karthik, MS Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja, Ashwin, B Kumar, Sharma, Umesh Yadav
SOUTH AFRICA: Amla, Ingram, Du Plessis, De Villiers, Duminy, Miller, McLaren, Peterson, Kleinveldt, Morkel, Tsotsobe
There's plenty of pressure on Morkel in that bowling unit while Steyn is forced to watch from the sidelines. If he's at his best in this format, he can be a joy to watch.
India have plenty of attacking batsmen in that lineup and there's not many one-day players in the class of Kohli and Dhoni. Karthik scored two hundreds in the warm-up matches and that's the reason for his inclusion today.
Here's something I never thought I'd say in one of these cricket commentaries. Prince Charles is opening the Champions Trophy with a pre-recorded video address. After a few nice words it's time for the national anthems. Just under five minutes away from play in Cardiff.
Prince Charles has said: "Cricket has an extraordinary ability to unite and it's tremendous to know that millions of people will be watching this around the world. I would like to extend a warm welcome to those who have travelled so far for the 15 games of this tournament. I can only wish the participants in this tournament every success. It gives me great pleasure to declare the ICC Champions trophy 2013 officially open."
Right, time for some cricket. Rohit Sharma, who I'll refer to a Rohit due to the other Sharma in the side, opens the batting alongside Dhawan. Morkel will bowl the first over of the tournament.
There's some good carry through to De Villiers for Morkel, which you'd expect from the taller bowler. Rohit is intent on moving his gloves away from the ball as Morkel targets the chest early on. The batsman is off the mark with a nudge into the leg-side for a quick single. Dhawan is happy when a flirt with his first ball doesn't send an edge towards the slips. Great start from Morkel.
Tsotsobe is thrown the second new ball, as is customary for this format now. The bowler starts with a wider line but Rohit doesn't think about playing early on. A thick edge drops well short of the slips but a fumble at second slip allows the Indian duo to hurry a single. Du Plessis dives to his right to stop an open-faced shot from Dhawan and keeps the batsman on strike. However, there's no fielder in place to stop Dhawan getting off the mark with three past mid-on. Big appeal from Tsotsobe when the left-arm seamer brings one back but Rohit gets a big inside edge on the ball.
Morkel is bowling just below 90mph in the early stages of this game and continues to target the batsmen from just back of a length. Dhawan looks for a couple of quick runs but Rohit rejects the opportunity on both occasions. Morkel then strays onto the pads to allow Dhawan to flick the ball through the leg-side for two.
Tsotsobe is wayward early in a new over and the umpire is quick to signal a wide ball. Rohit is eager to find a quick run on the off-side but the South African fielders are lively early on and are quick to collect the ball. There's another big lbw appeal from Tsotsobe but it looks a bit high and the decision is not out. Rohit ends the over with a superb cover drive for four. Two wide balls and a boundary from the over.
Morkel delivers a bouncer and Dhawan looks uncomfortable as he pulls the ball behind square for just a single. The bowler is too straight midway through the over and a leg-bye is taken by India. It's another quick, aggressive over from Morkel.
First big shot of the tournament as Rohit stands tall to loft Tsotsobe's wider ball over the off-side for six runs. Plenty of pressure on the bowler following that first delivery but he responds with a couple of much better balls at the stumps. Rohit opens the face to pick up a single behind point and Dhawan makes the over even more expensive with a superb shot through cover for four.
Ouch! Morkel nips one back at 90mph to hit Rohit in a very vulnerable area. The batsman takes a second to himself before readjusting and pulling the third ball of the over just behind square on the leg-side for four. Morkel responds with a much better shorter ball to force Rohit into ducking away from danger.
First bowling change of the morning as Rory Kleinveldt comes into the attack to replace Tsotsobe. The seamer is too straight at the beginning of the over and Dhawan is able to get off strike with a single. Kleinveldt is just not quick enough to bowl short and Rohit takes advantage of a half-tracker to pull four runs over square-leg. McClaren is forced into a chase when Sharma drives through extra cover but the fielder can't stop the ball with a dive and the batsman has four more. Nine from Kleinveldt's first over.
There's certainly something in this pitch for the bowlers but a few loose deliveries have allowed India to settle well this morning. McLaren comes on for the first time to replace Morkel.
Poor start from McLaren and Dhawan is able to easily flick the ball away from his heel for four to fine leg. A leg-bye allows the same batsman to quickly get of strike despite De Villiers lurking behind the stumps with a good throw at the stumps. Rohit finds a single to third man to rotate the strike again. A wide ball is delivered by McLaren before Dhawan finds one more run on the leg-side.
Dhawan drills a cover drive powerfully and Amla can only get a hand on the ball, so the Indian duo can easily run three times. Rohit takes a couple of steps down the pitch but misses with an ugly heave over the leg-side. Kleinveldt is flicked away for a single but it's also a no-ball, which means Dhawan will have a free-hit. The bowler goes full and gets a hand on Dhawan's straight shot to restrict India to just a single. That's the end of the first powerplay.
McClaren's short ball is pulled away for a single by Dhawan, who now has 21 to his name. Rohit plays an even better version of the same shot to earn four behind square on the leg-side. McLaren and Kleinveldt should be concentrating on a fuller length and leave the short stuff to Morkel. The bowler does respond well in the middle of the over but there's still a chance for Rohit to steal the strike with a single through cover.
Kleinveldt is slightly wide early in the over but Amla is able to collect the ball in the deep to force Rohit into taking only a single. Too short again from the seamer and Dhawan pulls behind square once again for another boundary. Kleinveldt persists with the shorter bowling but this time he's punished by the umpire, who signals a wide-ball. Dhawan nudges a single to square-leg and Rohit adds another with a guide to third man.
Peterson is thrown the ball for the first time as De Villiers turns to spin now. Rohit pushes one to long-off and Dhawan adds another single to long-on. A bit of foot movement allows Rohit to open up the leg-side and some good running gives the batsman two runs. Peterson finds a nice length but there's no reward when a thick edge squirms away for another single. Five from the spinner's first over.
An inside edge drops by the feet of Rohit but he reacts quickly enough to sneak a run. Kleinveldt fires in a shorter ball and Dhawan looks in trouble when he pulls towards Morkel at fine-leg. However, the fielder runs in from the rope too far and the ball sails over his head for four more. Kleinveldt finds a far better line outside off-stump to beat the bat for the first time. Dhawan opens the face of his bat to pick up a run past gully. The bowler drops his length again though and he's punished by Rohit, who pulls through mid-wicket for four. Awful bowling in truth, time for a change.
Dhawan uses his feet very well to steer the ball past Du Plessis at cover for another boundary. Peterson goes fuller but it's the same result as Dhawan drills the ball wide of mid-off for four more. Brilliant from Duminy in the deep on the leg-side when he dives to stop another boundary, with India settling for three. Rohit nudges a single to point and Dhawan picks up another on the off-side. Good cricket from the Indians and Rohit will keep the strike thanks to a push to mid-on. 14 runs from the over.
McLaren switches ends following a short rest to replace Kleinveldt. The seamer is cut away by Rohit, who earns two behind point. A nudge square of the wicket on the off-side allows the Indian duo to ease another single before Dhawan pushes one to deep cove to bring up three figures for his side. Du Plessis dives to his left at point but he can't prevent Rohit from finding one more single. Time for a drinks break, India looking very comfortable at the moment.
Rohit has 49 to his name, while his partner Dhawan has scored 45 so far. It's all been far too easy for the openers this morning.
De Villers makes another change, with Duminy being given his first bowl of the day. Good start from the slower bowler, who delivers two dot balls. However, Rohit then pushes a single to long-on and that's his HALF-CENTURY from 63 balls. Dhawan is eager to use his feet against the spin and he walks down the pitch before hitting one to long-off. Rohit will keep the strike though thanks to a single from the final ball. Three from Duminy's first over.
Morkel reacts well to a couple of challenging bounces at third man to restrict Rohit to just a single early in a new over from Mclaren. Dhawan is surprised by a shorter ball and is struck on the head, however, he manages to stay alert to take the extra on offer. Rohit steers the ball into a gap to pick up two from the final delivery. Much better over
De Villiers is forced to give Morkel a new spell as South Africa look to break this partnership. Rohit pushes a single through point and Dhawan adds another with a pull to deep square-leg. A wider ball encourages Rohit to lazily swing his bat but there's no edge. Rohit plays a much more purposeful shot a ball later when he crunches another pull shot to the rope in front of square.
Dhawan reaches FIFTY with a quick single to point at the beginning of McLaren's new over. The milestone has arrived in just 44 balls for the opener. Rohit stands tall to smash the ball between a gap on the off-side and earn four more through extra cover. A flick off the pad allows the same batsman to collect a single and Dhawan adds another through the off-side. Rohit's thick edge deflects off the pad but the runs keep coming as the Indian duo hurry another single.
Rohit guides the ball to third man for one at the start of Morkel's over. The pace bowler finds some extra bounce to beat Dhawan's outside edge but Dhawan quickly pushes the delivery to the back of his mind as he pulls one through square-leg for a single. Morkel oversteps the mark later in the over and the Indian supporters in the crowd know what that means, it's time for a free-hit. Rohit can't take advantage though and he doesn't find any run when he misses with the pull shot.
Dhawan nudges the ball in front of point for a single early in McLaren's over.
WICKET! ROHIT (65) C PETERSON B McLAREN
South Africa finally make the breakthrough when Rohit gets the pull shot wrong for the first time and picks out Peterson in the deep. No let-off for the fielding side though as Kohli makes his way out to the middle.
Great first ball to Kohli from McLaren, who gets one to bounce and strike the new batsman in the helmet. Welcome to the crease Virat! Kohli is off the mark with a single to fine leg but Dhawan will keep the strike due to a pull to deep mid-wicket for one.
Peterson is back for a new spell and he's immediately met by a Dhawan sweep shot, which only goes for two behind square on the leg-side. The Indian duo trade singles in the middle of the over. Dhawan adds another before Kohli's call for a run to short third man is rejected by his partner.
Tsotsobe returns to the attack and begins with a shorter ball that is swatted away to third man for a run. Kohli hands the strike back to his partner in the middle of the over and Dhawan then delicately guides the ball over De Villiers for four more runs. Superb batting from the opener and it just gets better when he dances down the pitch to hit Tsotsobe straight down the ground for a big six.
Kohli cuts the ball past point for one early in a new over from Kleinveldt. Dhawan pulls the ball fine for another single and Kohli continues to rotate the strike with a run to third man. Kleinveldt drops his length again and Dhawan heaves the ball over the fielder in the deep for four more. One more single means it's eight from the over.
India are definitely on course for a big score in Cardiff. There's plenty of batting to come and if Dhoni is batting late on, we could be in for even more entertainment.
Peterson fumbles the ball in the deep and that allows Dhawan to sneak two runs, rather than the single that was originally planned. A cut shot through the off-side brings another run before Kohli tucks the ball into the leg-side for two more. Kohli plays a simple defensive shot but his awareness of the field is superb and he sneaks a single to mid-off. Too short from Tsotsobe and Dhawan rocks back to launch another ball over mid-wicket for four.
There's some obvious turn when Duminy begins a new spell but that doesn't stop Kohli finding a single behind point. Dhawan looks composed against the spin as he sits back in his crease to cut away another run. Two more runs in the over. Easy for India at the moment.
Dhawan takes a single early in the over. Kohli is comfortable against the slower ball and he pulls into a big gap on the leg-side to pick up two. A late, late cut brings the same batsman a single.
Duminy varies his pace at the beginning of a new over to Kohli. It's very good from the spinner, who concedes just one single from the six balls. There's still 21 overs left in the innings. Will India be looking for 350?
Kohli opens the face to run the ball down to third man for a single. The returning Kleinveldt continues to struggle for consistency as Dhawan flicks the ball off his toes for a boundary. India hurry a single behind point but Du Plessis misses the throw at the stumps anyway.
Duminy seems the only bowler who has any control at the moment for South Africa. Dhawan nudges the ball straight past the spinner to move to 91. Kohli picks the gap at mid-wicket to pick up a run later in the over. Great footwork on show from Dhawan, who cuts past point for two more to edge closer to a century.
Kohli and Dhawan trade singles early in Kleinveldt's over. The former seems to be struggling for a bit of rhythm at the crease right now but he finds another run to deep cover. Great shot from Dhawan, who moves to 98 with a powerful cut for four. CENTURY for Dhawan thanks to four behind square on the leg-side. I doubt there will be many knocks better than that in this tournament. The opener has effortlessly reached the milestone from just 80 balls. Superb batting.
Oh dear, it's just not going South Africa's way. Dhawan advances down the crease but he's beaten by some turn from Duminy. It looks like De Villiers has taken the bails off but he couldn't keep hold of the ball to dismiss the centurion. Five from the over.
Kohli plays a perfect cover drive for four to frustrate Morkel on his return to the attack. A thick edge sails just past De Villiers and with no slips in place the ball races to the rope for four more. Kohli takes a single behind square on the off-side and Dhawan adds one more to deep cover. Now the news gets worse for South Africa. Morkel abandons his over after complaining of an injury and leaves the field with one ball left to bowl. Peterson finishes the over with a dot ball.
Morkel was holding his thigh as he left the field. With Steyn currently on the sidelines, South Africa cannot afford to lose another one of their best bowlers for too long.
Dhawan continues to go about his business as he drives the returning Tsotsobe through the cover for a single.
WICKET! KOHLI (31) C AMLA B TSOTSOBE
Kohli goes four balls before the batting powerplay is due to arrive. The right-handed batsman attempts to smash the ball into the stands but instead picks out Amla in the deep on the leg-side. Good time to take wicket but India are still on top.
Karthik comes to the crease and South Africa will not take any comfort from seeing a batsman who has hit two hundred in his previous two matches. Dhawan is on strike though and he plays a rare false shot, with Tsotsobe sneaking one between bat and pad. An overthrow allows Dhawan to pick up two runs from the next ball but he can't beat the fielder at cover with a drive. Dhawan lofts the ball over De Villiers again but he only gets a single this time.
It's time for the batting powerplay and De Villiers responds by bringing back Duminy. Dhawan cuts the first ball of the over away for a single to give the strike to Karthik. Great bowling from Duminy to force the new batsman to defend for the remainder of the over.
Dhawan crunches the ball over mid-wicket but it's a big boundary out there so he'll only pick up three runs. Karthik gets off the mark with a pull through the leg-side for a single. Dhawan finds two more through cover from the final ball.
South Africa's backroom staff have confirmed that Morkel will not bowl again today due to the thigh strain he suffered earlier. Big loss for De Villiers and his side.
Brilliant from Karthik when he advances down the pitch to hit Duminy over long-on for a big six.
WICKET! DHAWAN (114) C SUB (PHANGISO) B DUMINY
A single brings Dhawan on strike but his superb innings comes to an end when he picks out substitute fielder Phangiso at square-leg with a sweep shot. Great knock from the opener but it's time for Dhoni.
Dhoni defend his first two balls before getting off the mark with a single to mid-off. South Africa must dismiss the Indian skipper early or he will do the damage late on.
Here we go then. Dhoni decides to start attacking immediately and he lofts the ball over wide mid-on for four runs early in Tsotsobe's over. The skipper gets off the mark with a glove to point when the bowler finds some extra bounce. Karthik picks the gap well at mid-wicket to collect two before pulling the ball just behind square for four to make it 11 from the over.
Dhoni steers the ball through point for a single at the start of McLaren's new over.
WICKET! KARTHIK (14) C DE VILLIERS B McLAREN
South Africa are beginning to battle back in Cardiff as another wicket falls. Karthik attempts to loft the ball over De Villiers but the captain reacts brilliantly to take a one hand catch behind the stumps. Raina in next for India.
Raina pulls his first ball through mid-wicket for a single. Dhoni lets a wayward ball fly past his shoulder for a wide. The Indian captain then punches the next delivery through cover for one run before Raina heaves his second ball of the innings over mid-wicket for a maximum. Great way to end the powerplay for India.
Just 10 overs left in the innings but India will be confident of piling on the runs while these two men are out in the middle.
Dhoni misses with the slog-sweep but still manages to sneak a leg-bye for his team. Raina nudges another run to mid-on and Dhoni picks up a single to long-off. Duminy's new over is full of singles, with five runs being scored.
Too short from McLaren and Dhoni is too good to let an opportunity pass him by as he cuts the ball through point for four. The skipper picks up another run behind square on the leg-side. McLaren pushes the ball too far past Raina and he's punished by the umpire for a wide ball.
WICKET! RAINA (9) C DUMINY B McLAREN
Everyone in world cricket seems to be well aware of Raina's weakness against the slower ball. McLaren fires in a delivery just back of a length and the batsman gets in a mix-up to offer Duminy a simple catch at cover off a leading edge.
Jadeja leaves his first two balls at the crease. McLaren now has three wickets as South Africa attempt to wrestle back some of the control.
Duminy gets his line wrong and Dhoni sweeps powerfully through square-leg for four. The same batsman pushes the ball past Amla at cover for two more before reverse sweeping for a single. Jadeja can't find the gaps and he defends the final three balls.
Dhoni takes a single at the start of Kleinveldt's new spell. De Villiers is beaten by a Jadeja edge and the ball races away from the wicketkeeper for four runs. A mistimed pull shot brings the same batsman a couple through mid-wicket. Superb from Jadeja when he lofts the ball over mid-on for four more and he'll keep the strike thanks to a single to third man.
Jadeja pushes the ball to cover and calls for a quick single to give the strike to Dhoni. Duminy is wide down the leg-side and India take a single with the extra too. Jadeja turns the ball behind square for one and Dhoni adds another down the ground. Just four runs and a wide from Duminy's over.
Kleinveldt begins his final over by allowing Dhoni to cut the ball behind point for a single. Jadeja flicks the ball off his toes and into the air for one to deep mid-wicket. Five singles are taken in the first five balls and Jadeja finds two more to deep square-leg from the final ball.
WICKET! DHONI (27) C DU PLESSIS B TSOTSOBE
Dhoni goes for the big shot over long-on early in Tsotsobe's new over but he doesn't make enough contact and Du Plessis takes the simple catch. The key man for India goes with just over three overs left.
Ashwin is off strike for now but Jadeja continues to do damage as he drives the ball wide of Amla at cover for four. A single gives Ashwin the chance to begin his innings and he starts with one to deep square-leg.
McLaren has two overs left, so he's likely to bowl two of the final three in the innings. Ashwin cuts the ball to third man for a single and Jadeja adds one with a punch into the leg-side. Another cut shot from Ashwin brings up 300 for India but they'll want a few more in these latter stages. McLaren is too short and wide, so Jadeja punishes the bowler by slicing the ball over point for an easy four. Great end to the over for India when Jadeja cuts the ball at the latest possible opportunity to guide the ball past short third man for four more.
Ashwin is happy to hand the strike to Jadeja at this stage and he takes another single to third man. Brilliant shot from the left-handed batsman as he skips down the pitch to hit a huge six straight down the ground off Tsotsobe. A single brings Ashwin on strike and he gets in on the act now with the faintest of touches on a slower ball bouncer to earn four to fine leg. Ashwin then steals a single from the final ball to make it 13 from the over.
McClaren begins the final over with a good slower-ball bouncer before seeing a yorker squirm away for a single. The bowler goes full again and Jadeja must settle for one to point.
WICKET! ASHWIN (10) RUN OUT (McLAREN)
Jadeja commits to a single when Ashwin digs out a yorker and it's the latter who sacrifices his wicket to get his partner on strike. Good work from McLaren.
Jadeja uses his feet well to step back and open up the off-side to loft the ball over extra cover for four. Even better from the batsman when he lofts the ball over De Villiers to reach the rope once again. Eight runs from the final two balls of the innings.
South Africa battled back well following that fantastic century from Dhawan but they'll have to play well to win this match from here. Jadeja's unbeaten 47 from 29 balls could be crucial.
The Proteas just didn't bowl well early on and without Morkel following that thigh injury, they lacked a leader. India deserve credit though for the way they recovered after those few wickets in the middle of the innings.
We'll take a quick break during the interval but make sure you return in around 25 minutes when South Africa will be chasing 332 to win this Group B contest.
Welcome back everyone. We could be set for a very good game in this Champions Trophy opener. The pitch is good today, so South Africa will fancy their chances but a couple of early wickets could change things quickly.
Both teams are back out in the middle. Amla and Ingram will open the batting. Kumar bowls the first over of the innings.
Amla gets off the mark with a slightly fortunate shot when a thick inside edge squirms away for a couple. Kumar bowls with great control throughout the over and gets one to nip back past the inside edge to spark a reaction from the Indian fielder. Amla ends the over on top though when he flicks the ball over mid-wicket for four.
The pacey Yadav gets the other new ball but he can't stop Ingram from taking a single on the leg-side. Amla hands the strike back to his partner and Ingram reaches the rope for the first time when he chips the ball wide of mid-on. A cut behind point brings a single and Ingram will keep the strike.
WICKET! INGRAM (6) C RAINA B KUMAR
India needed to take early wickets and Kumar has done just that. The bowler gets the ball to leave Ingram, with the opener offering an edge to Raina at second slip. Good bowling, good catch.
Peterson comes in next for South Africa and he gets off the mark with three through square-leg from his second ball. Kumar stays full to Amla, who sneaks a single to Sharma at mid-on.
Yadav is too wide at the start of a new over and Amla frees his arms to earn four over cover. A shorter ball allows Amla to pull through mid-wicket but for just two runs. Fantastic timing on show from the same batsman as he whips the ball off his pads for four through the leg-side. The runs keep coming when Amla flicks the ball to the rope at fine leg for four more.
WICKET! AMLA (22) C DHONI B YADAV
Amla looked so comfortable in the over but he gets the slightest of inside edges on the fifth delivery and Dhoni is able to take the low catch. Two wickets down and India are in full control. De Villiers comes in and blocks his first ball.
Brilliant from Peterson as he smashes a perfect cover drive to the rope off Kumar. Slice of luck for the same batsman when an edge sails wide of second slip and to the rope for four. Kohli does superbly at cover to restrict Peterson to a single before De Villiers adds another behind point. Peterson earns one more past point with a sliced drive.
Peterson pulls Yadav but he doesn't make the greatest contact and is fortunate to earn four wide of mid-on. India are looking lively in the field as some sharp work from Raina prevents South Africa from stealing a single. Yadav surprises Peterson with a bouncer and strikes the batsman on the arm as he tries to duck. Good over from the pace bowler.
Peterson is given some treatment on that arm but he's fine to continue batting. De Villiers and Peterson trade singles early in the over. Brilliant from the Proteas skipper as he picks the gap wide of cover to collect four.
First change of the innings, with Sharma replacing Yadav. Peterson has clearly been promoted for a reason and he continues his attacking innings with four runs over cover. Great response from the bowler when Peterson is beaten on the outside edge by a beauty. Sharma then strike Peterson on the pads but the ball pitched outside leg-stump. Dhawan does superbly in the deep to stop Peterson's second drive of the over reaching the rope, with South Africa being forced to settle for three. No fielder can stop De Villiers hitting a boundary though when the skipper powerfully cuts through point.
Peterson finds a single to third man before De Villiers uses his feet well to punch the ball down the ground for four superb runs. One more single means it's six from the over.
De Villiers advances down the pitch once again and drills the ball past cover for four more. The Proteas skipper is one of the best in the game and he gives us further evidence of his ability with a punch off the back foot through the off-side for another boundary.
77 runs from the first 10 overs for South Africa but after losing two early wickets, a lot will depend on how long De Villiers sticks around.
Peterson finds a big gap on the leg-side to pick up two runs before nudging a single to deep cover. De Villiers is in full flow now as he steers the ball past backward point for four. The skipper then drops to his knee to paddle the ball behind square on the leg-side to pick up two more.
Big, big chance of a run out! De Villiers sends back Peterson after originally calling for a run but Dhawan can't hit the stumps with the batsman stranded. Karthik does superbly in the deep to stop De Villiers reaching the rope with another cut. The South African duo take six from the over.
Ashwin is given his first bowl of the match and the way South Africa play the spinners could be crucial to their chances. The slow bowler is pushed into the deep for a single before staying slightly to encourage the umpire to signal a wide. Steady start from Ashwin, six scored in the over
Yadav comes back for a new spell but he's too wide at the start of the over and an extra is given to South Africa. The Proteas are well ahead of the rate at the moment and they pick the gaps in the field impressively to collect 10 in the over, with Peterson's pull for four the highlight.
Peterson flicks Ashwin into the leg-side for a single and De Villiers adds another through square-leg. The singles flow throughout the over, with five being scored. Time for a drinks break.
Jadeja comes into the attack for the first time after the break. The batsmen trade singles early on before Peterson misses with a big sweep and is lucky to remain at the crease. Great start from the spinner, who concedes just two in the over.
De Villier nudges the ball off his pad to pick up a single early in Ashwin's over. Good pressure from India's slower bowler and his overs goes for just two. South Africa are ahead of the rate still but they cannot afford to be too defensive against the spinners.
Jadeja is heaved over mid-wicket by Peterson for two runs and he's just one short of fifty now. The left-handed batsman reaches his HALF-CENTURY with a late cut for a single. Good innings from Peterson following those early wickets. De Villiers relieves some of the pressure with four behind point from the final ball.
Peterson walks down the pitch to drive the ball through cover for two before playing and missing a cut shot just outside off-stump. A single gives the strike to De Villiers, who is surprised by a delivery that bounces and goes past at shoulder height. Four from the over.
Two singles, including a miscued switch-hit from Peterson, brings up the century partnership between these two. South Africa seem content with picking the gaps when facing the slower bowlers as they take six more off Jadeja.
Another good over from Ashwin, who varies his pace and length well to test the batsmen. He can't stop De Villiers reaching his FIFTY though, with the milestone coming from 45 balls. Two from the over.
Both South Africans are using their feet at the crease to put Jadeja off his length but it doesn't work too well. Singles are on offer but the Proteas only find four in the over. Good pressure from India at the moment.
Good shot from Peterson, who skips down the pitch to chip the ball over extra cover for four runs. The duo in the middle then share three singles in the middle of the over to take advantage of the defensive field. One more and it's eight from Ashwin's over.
Dhoni is clearly happy with the slower bowling and he brings Raina into the attack now. De Villiers hits with the spin to earn a single to deep cover. Peterson drives two more before missing with an attempted reverse sweep. Five from Raina's first over.
WICKET! PETERSON (68) RUN OUT (JADEJA)
Fantastic fielding from Jadeja has changed this game again. Peterson thinks there's a single available when he nudges the ball into the leg-side but Jadeja stops the shot with one hand before throwing accurately to Dhoni. The Indian skipper does the rest while Peterson is left stranded in the middle of the pitch.
Duminy is beaten on the outside edge as soon as he arrives at the crease. The new batsman is lucky not to chop the ball onto his stumps with a mistimed cut too. One run and a wicket in the over.
South Africa enjoy a much calmer over following that run out, with the new partnership picking the gaps well to earn seven runs.
Duminy is very quick and he's trusted by De Villiers when the pair hurry a single to cover point. Four runs in Ashwin's over. It's very good from India, who are beginning to take the control back.
Raina catches the leading edge but the ball drops just short of the bowler. Plenty of singles on offer but the Proteas pick up just four. The required run-rate is now above seven runs an over.
Ashwin breezes through another over and South Africa can only pick up four runs again. Impressive stuff from Dhoni and his team at the moment.
De Villiers and Duminy share singles early in the over before the former misses out on hitting a leg-side wide to the boundary. The Proteas skipper cuts the next ball to cover point for two. Six scored off Raina's over, the part-time bowler is doing a great job for his captain at the moment.
Jadeja is back for a new spell as Dhoni rotates his spinners.
WICKET! DUMINY (14) LBW B JADEJA
Jadeja doesn't spin the ball much but he gets one to skid through quickly and hit Duminy on the pad. Ian Gould raises his finger but the decision is reviewed. However, Hawkeye shows the ball would have hit middle and leg. Key wicket for India!
Du Plessis is the new batsman and he's more than happy to block the first two balls of his innings.
Good move from Dhoni as he brings back Yadav while India are in control. De Villiers pushes the ball to mid-on and hurries a single early in the over. A push to deep cover looks like it will bring two but De Villiers is left stranded and is forced to dive to make his ground. The umpire wants a replay but a second look shows that the Proteas skipper just made his ground.
WICKET! DE VILLIERS (70) C JADEJA B YADAV
De Villiers goes after just surviving a very close call for run out. The skipper walks down the pitch and takes on a fast bouncer from Yadav. However, he can only spoon the ball into the air and Jadeja is left to take the easiest of catches on the leg-side. Is that the end of South Africa's chances?
Miller comes out to the middle to join Du Plessis, who finds two to square-leg before pulling a single over mid-wicket. South Africa need another big partnership now.
Raina's rest doesn't last for long as he comes back to replace Jadeja. The spinner shows great control to force Du Plessis back in his crease with four dot balls.
WICKET! MILLER (0) RUN OUT (RAINA)
Oh dear, it just gets worse. Du Plessis calls for two following a clip into the leg-side but he abandons the second after slipping at the non-striker's end. Miller is left running aimlessly and Raina has the simple task of throwing the ball to Dhoni, who whips off the bails.
McLaren is the new batsman following that mad spell of cricket. Du Plessis chips the ball over mid-on for two before pushing straight down the ground for a single. McLaren dodges a bouncer but the umpire isn't happy with the height and signals a wide-ball. A thick edge allows the newer batsman to get off the mark to third man. Du Plessis flicks one behind square on the leg-side and McLaren guides another run to third man. Much better over for South Africa as Du Plessis reaches the rope with a pull in front of square.
McLaren drops to one knee to sweep the ball fine for four runs at the start of Raina's new over. A reverse sweep brings four more before the strike is handed to Du Plessis following a single. Du Plessis shows his confidence with a couple of steps down the pitch prior to a lofted shot over mid-off for four.
McLaren takes a single at the start of Yadav's new over. Du Plessis picks the gap brilliantly behind square on the leg-side to earn four more. The same batsman fires a powerful shot straight back at Yadav, who has no chance to take the catch but does well to stop runs. Du Plessis skips forward and takes on the short ball, with the pace of Yadav carrying the ball over Dhoni and to the rope for four. 10 runs come from the over, much better from SOuth Africa.
Brilliant from Du Plessis, who knows he's got a big job ahead of him, as he sweeps powerfully to hit four at the start of Ashwin's new spell. A single brings McLaren on strike but the spinner wastes a delivery with a wide-ball. McLaren is no amateur with the bat and he proves his ability with a great shot over the bowler for another boundary. 11 runs come in the over.
Sharma is thrown the ball by Dhoni but the change doesn't work immediately, with McLaren effortlessly driving the ball past the bowler for four. The batsman nudges a single to square-leg
WICKET! DU PLESSIS (30) C RAINA B SHARMA
It's surely game over now for South Africa as Raina takes a good catch at long-off following a mistimed shot from Du Plessis. India need three wickets to win and the Proteas are still 94 runs away from an unlikely victory.
Seven runs and a wicket from Sharma's over. Good return for the pace bowler.
A sliced drive from McLaren gives the left-handed all-rounder a single early in Yadav's over. The Indian seamer is bowling with good pace and is regularly delivering the ball at 90mph+. However, the pace helps McLaren later in the over when a flick off the toes races to the rope for four.
Sharma is wayward to Kleinveldt early in the over and is punished, with a wide-ball being given. A nudge into the leg-side brings McLaren on strike and he does well to dig out a yorker to earn a single. Kleinveldt's thick edge races behind point to give the tail-end batsman a couple more.
WICKET! KLEINVELDT (4) C DHONI B SHARMA
Kleinveldt is brave enough to take on a shorter ball but the decision does not bring success as the mistimed shot gives Dhoni a simple catch behind the stumps. Sharma has two wickets now. Victory is edging closer for India.
Tsotsobe comes in at 10 while Morkel continues to suffer with that thigh strain. Five runs and a wicket in Sharma's over.
Jadeja is back for another spell at the beginning of the 41st over. The spinner is pushed away for a single by Tsotsobe and clipped to mid-wicket for another by McLaren. Tsotsobe struggles with the quicker deliveries from Jadeja but he does survive the over.
South Africa look like they may have just given up the fight now as McLaren and Tsotsobe negotiate another Sharma over. McLaren's paddle-sweep drops short of Karthik at short fine-leg but he survives and the Proteas take four from the over.
WICKET! TSOTSOBE (3) B JADEJA
Tsotsobe blocks early in Jadeja's over but he can't fight the urge for any longer and is bowled when attempting an ugly shot across the line. Only Morkel left and he's injured, however, he does survive the first delivery.
McLaren drills a drive to long-off but rejects the opportunity to take a single so early in the over. A straighter shot evades Dhawan this time and reaches the rope. McLaren needs to do something very special from here and he attacks again to pick up four through mid-wicket. Wow, it might not matter but McLaren is playing superbly as he strikes the ball over the bowler and the rope for a big six. A single from the final ball means that he'll keep the strike.
Jadeja can't believe he misses the stumps when McLaren swings wildly across the line. There's singles on offer twice in the over but McLaren once again stay at the crease. When a run is eventually taken, Morkel is left with one ball to face. He defends, just one from the over.
McLaren opens the face to drive over the fielders on the off-side and collects four runs for his trouble to reach FIFTY. The same batsman hurries a single with a push to cover thanks to a fumble in the field. Morkel survives the final ball again to keep this game going on for a little bit longer.
Jadeja continues his spell and McLaren is forced to settle for an early single when he lofts the ball to mid-wicket. Morkel adds another run through square-leg before McLaren reaches the rope again with a superbly executed reverse-sweep. Another single ensures that McLaren keeps the strike with three overs left.
Yadav starts the over with three full deliveries to force McLaren to defend. A full toss allows McLaren to slice the ball behind point and some poor fielding gifts a boundary to the all-rounder. McLaren can't find a single this time and Morkel will be on strike for the next over.
Morkel realises the game is lost now and chooses to have some fun as he pulls Sharma over mid-wicket for four. A cut behind point brings a single to give the strike to McLaren. Sharma goes full but a yorker somehow squirms away to split the fielders behind square on the off-side and reach the rope. One more single is taken and South Africa need a massive 33 from the final over.
Kumar returns to the attack to bowl the final over of the match. McLaren takes a single straight down the ground and that brings up 300 for South Africa. Kumar then oversteps to give Morkel the freedom of a free-hit. Morkel can only find a single to mid-off following a mistake from Sharma in the field. A similar shot brings McLaren one more before Morkel rotates the strike again with a nudge to long-on.
WICKET! MORKEL (8) B KUMAR
INDIA WIN BY 26 RUNS: Kumar hits middle stump with a yorker to end the final over in style. India have been superb today and held off a strong South African challenge to claim a victory in the opening match of this tournament.
That could be a crucial result for both sides. In such a small tournament it's important to start well and India now look in good shape to make the semi-finals. South Africa need to improve and hope that their better players can find form and fitness.
Thanks for joining me for what has been a fascinating start to this tournament and make sure you return tomorrow at 10.00am, when I'll be talking you through Pakistan vs. West Indies. Goodnight.
