| The fifth match of the ICC World T20 was only the | | | | Africa might have hoped to limit the Indians to 160 or |
| second matchup of T20 heavyweights. India, after | | | | 165. However, Suresh Raina opened up and took |
| clinically dispatching Afghanistan, was hoping to book | | | | India to 186/5. Raina's 101 came off only 60 balls. Dale |
| its passage to the Super Eights. Their opponents, | | | | Steyn was the most economical South African |
| South Africa, were hoping to virtually do the same | | | | bowler, with 1/24 off his four overs. South Africa |
| and start their tournament on a winning note. | | | | would have to bat out of their skins to surpass such |
| On a bright and beautiful morning at the Beausejour | | | | a formidable target. |
| Stadium, St. Lucia, Graeme Smith won the toss for | | | | South Africa started slowly, reaching 21/1 in the fifth |
| South Africa and elected to field first. He felt that his | | | | over. Captain Graeme Smith joined Jacques Kallis and |
| bowling attack might take advantage of the early | | | | the two raised 97 runs off 65 balls. When Smith |
| morning conditions. South Africa had a combination of | | | | departed for 36 off 28 balls, the "Proteas"he needed |
| pace and spin, but was heavily reliant on the faster | | | | 69 runs from only 27 balls - a tall order. One over |
| bowlers. India also had a good bowling attack and an | | | | later, Kallis departed for 73 off 54 balls, taking some |
| even stronger batting order. | | | | of the impetus from the chase. |
| Rory Kleinveldt vindicated his captain's decision early, | | | | AB de Villiers tried to make a fist off it, scoring 31 |
| by dismissing Murali Vijay for a "golden duck" (naught | | | | off 15 balls. It was a case of too little, too late for |
| off his first ball). India progressed slowly, reaching 32 | | | | S.A. They amassed 172/5 off their 20 overs, falling |
| in the sixth over, when Dinesh Kartik fell to Jacques | | | | by just 14 runs. Ultimately, the Proteas paid a high |
| Kallis for 16 off 17 balls. Yuvraj Singh joined Suresh | | | | price for their slow start and the meandering |
| Raina and the two batsmen ensured that South | | | | partnership between Kallis and Smith that was not |
| Africa earned no further breakthroughs until the 16th | | | | brisk enough. Naturally, Suresh Raina took the "Player |
| over, when Albie Morkel dismissed Yuvraj for 37 (30 | | | | of the match" honours. India was through to the |
| balls). | | | | Super Eights, while South Africa faced a must-win |
| At 120/3 close to the end of the 16th over, South | | | | game a few days later against Afghanistan. |