New Delhi, Jan 20: Promising youngster Yuvraj Walmiki struck twice as India registered a thrilling 4-3 victory over South Africa in the fourth hockey Test as they clinched the five-match series 3-1.
India scored four second half goals through Yuvraj (44th minute, 53rd), V R Raghunath (50th) and S K Uthappa (56th) after Justin Reid Ross (14th) gave South Africa the lead in the first half at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
The tourists, however, did not give up till the last minute and managed to reduce the margin thrugh Ian Haley (54th0 and Lloyd Madsen (64th).
With this win, India has taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. India had earlier defeated South Africa 4-0 and 2-1 in the first two Tests before the visitors scored a 1-3 victory in the third tie.
The final Test of the series will be played on Sunday after a rest day tomorrow.
Contrary to the result, the South Africans were by far the better side on display in the first half as the Indians found it difficult to breach their strong defence.
South Africa also played fast paced one-touch hockey in the opening period and created more spaces during their attacks.
And as expected the visitors drew the first blood when Reid Ross beautifully found the back of the Indian net with a reverse shot after receiving a cross from the right.
Trailing 0-1, the Indians came out with more purpose in the second period and drew parity when an opportunistic Yuvraj tapped home after he was set up by Sarvanjit Singh's solo run from the right flank.
