Herschelle Gibbs hit an unbeaten 93 as South Africa hit back from a woeful start to post a testing target of 244 for India in the fourth one-day international in Port Elizabeth.
The tourists had South Africa in serious trouble early on with both openers back in the pavilion with just six on the board, but Jacques Kallis and Gibbs led a revival which gave the Proteas hope of extending their lead to 3-0 in the five-match series.
South Africa skipper Graeme Smith lasted just three balls before being trapped leg before wicket by Zaheer Khan, and Loots Bosman fared no better, also departing for a duck, bowled by Sreesanth.
Kallis steadied the ship although his preferred method was that of aggression rather than containment.
He took just 62 balls to reach 49 - a knock which included nine fours - and took full advantage of the early fielding restrictions.
Kallis and Gibbs put on 69 for the third wicket but Kallis' dismissal, after he edged a Anil Kumble delivery to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Doni, put India back in charge.
AB de Villiers (13) contributed little but Mark Boucher did make 29.
A typical late blast from Shaun Pollock boosted the Proteas' total, although Gibbs ran out of overs in his quest to reach three figures as South Africa ended on 243 for eight.
