Karthik's last-over six all but assured victory

India beat South Africa by six wickets with a ball to spare in a thrilling finish to the day/night Twenty20 match in Johannesburg.

South Africa recovered from 41-4 to make 126-9, with Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar each taking two wickets.

Charl Langeveldt's catch to dismiss Dinesh Mongia meant India needed nine off the last over after they had looked to be cruising.

But Suresh Raina (3) and Dinesh Karthik (31) guided India to 127-4 and victory.

After choosing to bat, South Africa made a slow start, having been 57-4 off 10 overs, but middle-order duo Albie Morkel (27) and Johan van der Wath (21) revived their hopes.

Indeed, Justin Kemp (22) was the only other batsman to score over 20 runs.

India's response got off to a poor start, with Sachin Tendulkar bowled by Langeveldt with the score on just 17.

That brought Mongia to the crease to partner Virender Sehwag, and they took the score to 60 before an ill-advised attempt to run for a single that was not there saw Sehwag run out for 34.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni came and went quickly, playing on for a duck, which brought Karthik into action.

He and Mongia took the score to 108 before Mongia's towering shot off the bowing of Robin Peterson was caught by Langeveldt.