The crazy nature of twenty20 cricket dug its claws into South Africa as a 37-run defeat to India - their first loss of the World Cup - saw them exit the tournament at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.
A ghastly batting performance by South Africa saw them not only fail to challenge an Indian total of 153 for five but also fall short of the 126 they needed to stay ahead of New Zealand in terms of run-rate and make the semifinals as runners-up in group E.

After slumping to 31 for five - Rudra Pratap Singh was the destroyer with four for 13 - South Africa were left to rely on Albie Morkel, but this time the left-hander couldn't get South Africa to either of the targets they were chasing.

Morkel garnered 36 off 37 balls before Pratap returned from his outstanding new-ball spell to claim his wicket as well, firing a yorker into his middle stump to leave South Africa on 109 for eight with eight balls remaining.

There was no getting off the hook for the home side and they finished on 116 for nine, exiting another World Cup in Durban following their nightmare at Kingsmead in 2003.

The left-handed Pratap claimed two wickets in the second over as he kept the ball up and allowed it to swing.

Herschelle Gibbs was sent on his way by umpire Billy Doctrove, lbw for one despite getting a big stride in.

Graeme Smith scored four before he drove at an away-swinger and Dinesh Karthik showed cat-like agility and reflexes as he dived high to his left at a wide second slip and pulled off a spectacular catch.

Pratap's new-ball partner Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was a bit wild and woolly, but is always a dangerous bowler and a cracking, swinging delivery cut through AB de Villiers's defences to have him leg-before for one.

Justin Kemp, the hero of the win over New Zealand, came and went as he was run out for five as he could not beat Rohit Sharma's brilliant underarm throw from short cover and Pratap produced a hellish delivery to bowl Shaun Pollock before he could get off the mark.

But Mark Boucher showed his usual cool head as he and Morkel weathered the storm for the next 11 overs, adding 69 runs.

It left South Africa needing just 26 runs off 20 balls to make the semifinals, but they collapsed in familiar fashion as their World Cup nightmares returned.

Boucher (36) was bowled as he dragged a wide full toss from Sreesanth back on to his stumps, shocking even the bowler, and Vernon Philander made just two before he charged down the pitch to Harbhajan Singh and was stumped. One can't say Philander has had a successful tournament and Jacques Kallis would surely have had a greater impact.

When Morkel was bowled an over later, the famous Kingsmead tide had irrevocably turned against South Africa.

Rohit Sharma and Mahendra Dhoni had earlier shared a telling partnership that lifted India to 153 for five in the decisive Super Eights match.

SLOPPY FIELDING

India's challenge for a semifinal place seemed to be dying away as they slumped to 61 for four in the 11th over, but Sharma and Dhoni added 85 for the fifth wicket, including 56 runs in the last five overs as they mounted a vital late charge.

Captain Smith and assistant coach Jonty Rhodes were visibly angry with some sloppy fielding by the South African team.

Shaun Pollock made the initial breakthroughs for South Africa after India had decided to bat first on what looked a fresh, lively pitch.

Gautam Gambhir (19) dared to advance down the pitch to the veteran paceman on his home ground, Pollock saw him coming and dragged the delivery down, the ball hitting high on the bat and giving Smith a comfortable catch at mid-off.

New batsman Dinesh Karthik was on strike two balls later and Pollock deceived him with a slower ball, the batsman looping a catch to square-leg.

The very next delivery saw Makhaya Ntini make a telling strike when wicketkeeper Mark Boucher pulled off a fantastic catch to dismiss the pugnacious Virender Sehwag (11).

Robin Uthappa was well-caught by a tumbling Smith at deep mid-off off Morne Morkel for 15, before India were rescued by Sharma, 50 not out off 40 balls, and Dhoni, 45 off 31 deliveries.

South Africa's bowling was led by Pollock, who took two for 17 in his four overs.

India's win means there are three teams on four points each in Group E, with New Zealand finishing second to the Asians.

Teams

South Africa - Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Albie Morkel, Johan van der Wath, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini.

India - Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Joginder Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Rudra Pratap Singh, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

SAPA