Shikhar Dhawan was the main man once again, slamming a brilliant century to help India to a 26-run win against South Africa in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.
A packed ground in Cardiff witnessed a run-fest, with Dhawan, in particular, catching the eye courtesy a splendid 94-ball 114 (12x4, 1x6).
An opening partnership of 127, along with Rohit Sharma (65), was the catalyst behind India's huge first innings score of 331 for seven from their 50 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja (47 in 37 balls) chipping in nicely towards the end.
"The boys played with plenty of aggression, but it was controlled," India skipper M.S. Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"Rohit batted well along with Shikhar, gave us a good platform, but we lost too many wickets during the middle. Going by our position around the 35th over mark, we were short by at least 25 runs."
In reply, South Africa threatened to overhaul the big total, with skipper AB De Villiers (70) and Robin Peterson (70) putting together their own hundred-run partnership for the third wicket after losing the openers - Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram - early on.
However, once the duo got out close to each other, the total proved to be just too formidable with Ryan McLaren scoring a brilliant unbeaten 71 (61b, 11x4, 1x6) in vain as South Africa were bowled out for 305.
The start was what did it for India under tricky initial conditions, with Dhawan and Sharma easing the South African bowlers to the boundary and taking full advantage of the short deliveries gifted to them - the Proteas' strategy of bowling short eventually worked against them.
De Villiers was also hampered by the loss of Morne Morkel, who hobbled out during his seventh over, particularly with Dale Steyn already sitting out the match with a side strain.
"Against a subcontinent team, I still prefer some of the batters to hit us off our lengths instead of hitting us down the ground when we are on the fullish side, especially in English conditions," De Villiers said of the team's strategy against the Indian batsmen.
"I don't mind the guys having that aggressive mindset. I am very proud of the way we fought back. We got five wickets in a very short time in the middle overs and I think that was probably the short ball paying off.
"There was 100 percent of the pack of wolves out there today. Every time I connected with the team, their energy and intent and awareness was there. Losing Morne Morkel was a shock but the way the boys fought back to restrict them to a chaseable score was a great effort."
South Africa next face Pakistan at Edgbaston on Monday, while India take on the West Indies a day later at the Oval.
