Yuvraj shared in a crucial 72-run partnership with captain Rahul Dravid

India clinched their one-day series with South Africa 2-1 courtesy of a six-wicket victory in Belfast.

A 99-run partnership between Herschelle Gibbs (56) and Justin Kemp (61) helped South Africa to 148-7 off 31 overs after rain had delayed the start.

Seamers Agit Agarkar, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar each took two wickets for India at Stormont.

And Rahul Dravid made 33 and Yuvraj Singh an unbeaten 61 as India reached their target with four balls to spare.

"Yuvraj's been exceptional," said India captain Dravid.

"He's been a fantastic finisher for us. It's not an easy job to do under pressure and he does it really well.

"He's got the power, he's got the skill and he's matching that power and skill with temperament, mental strength and brains.

"That's a deadly combination. He is up there among the best one-day players in the world without a doubt."

Heavy rain meant the start was delayed by over five hours and when play did get under way, India reduced the Proteas to 28-4, Morne van Wyk, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy all making ducks.

He's been a fantastic finisher for us. It's not an easy job to do Dravid on Yuvraj

But Gibbs and Kemp steadied the ship in difficult, seaming conditions, before striking out late on against the spin of Yuvraj and Piyush Chawla.

Chawla, especially, was given short shrift as his three overs went for 28.

The pair eventually fell on the slog late in the piece, but their 16-over stand was exactly what the Proteas needed, with the last 10 overs costing India nearly 80 runs.

In reply, India were reduced to 36-3, Sachin Tendulkar unable to continue his recent fine form when he fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Mark Boucher off the bowling of Makhaya Ntini.

But, just as Gibbs and Kemp had for South Africa, Dravid and Yuvraj combined to keep India ticking over before a late assault.

We got ourselves into a position where we could have won that match...we gave it way a little bit Jacques Kallis

Cautious in the face of some more excellent seam bowling, the pair took India to 108 when Dravid was run out for 36.

His side were still 40 runs short of their target at that stage, but Mahendra Dhoni (14 not out) provided solid support as he and Yuvraj saw India home.

South Africa captain Kallis was left frustrated after another close finish.

"We got ourselves into a position where we could have won that match," he said.

"As much as the toss played a bit of a role, we also gave it way a little bit."