BELFAST, July 2: Yuvraj Singh's unbeaten 61 saw India to a six-wicket win over South Africa at Stormont here on Sunday to take the three-match One-day International series 2-1 (also partially reported in Monday’s edition).

In a match reduced by rain to 31 overs per side, left-hander Yuvraj finished the game by smashing Andre Nel for four with four balls to spare after India had slumped to 38 for three.

“Yuvraj's been exceptional,” India captain Rahul Dravid told reporters. “He's been a fantastic finisher for us. It's not an easy job to do under pressure and he does it really well.”

Yuvraj, a member of the India side that lost a one-day series in South Africa 4-0 in November and December last year, said: It gives you a lot of confidence when you win outside India.”

Dravid added these matches had given India a timely boost ahead of Tuesday's one-dayer against Pakistan in Glasgow and, more significantly, the three Test and seven One-day Internationals in England from July 19 to Sept 8.

“It's good we've played in tough conditions and done pretty well. That gives us confidence to take into the next series.”

South Africa captain Jacques Kallis, who lost the toss and saw his side sent into bat, was left frustrated after another close finish. “We got ourselves into a position where we could have won that match. As much as the toss played a bit of a role, we also gave it way a little bit.”

Justin Kemp's run-a-ball 61 was the top score in South Africa's 148 for seven after they'd collapsed to 28 for four having had the worst of the conditions after being sent in on a seaming pitch.

Kemp – fit after a thigh injury – and Herschelle Gibbs (56) revived the innings in a fifth-wicket stand of 99.

India, like South Africa, lost early wickets.

Man-of-the-Series Sachin Tendulkar, who on Friday had become the first batsman to score 15,000 ODI runs while making 93, after 99 in the opener, was caught behind by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher off fast bowler Makhaya Ntini for eight.

Gautam Gambhir then played on to fast bowler Dale Steyn.

Then Saurav Ganguly was caught behind.

Dravid, together with Yuvraj got India's target down to 64 off the last 10 overs.

Yuvraj edged India nearer with an elegant straight-driven four off Kemp.

Dravid followed up by pulling Kallis through mid-wicket for four. But a stand of 70 ended when Dravid, idling over a single, was run out by Boucher's direct hit on the stumps at the non-striker's end.

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