South Africa, chasing 299 to win, were struggling until Parnell brought the tourists back into contention with a sparkling 49, sharing a 65-run stand for the ninth wicket with new-ball partner Dale Steyn (35).
Steyn clubbed three sixes and a four and Parnell slammed four fours and a six to bring the target down to 10 off the last over, bowled by Praveen Kumar. Praveen bowled Steyn off the second ball as tension mounted but last man Charl Langeveldt hit three runs off the penultimate ball to leave the tourists needing four off the final ball.
A wide by Praveen reduced the margin further and Parnell flicked the last ball but was run out on the second run. Earlier, Suresh Raina hit 58 to steer India to 298 for nine after being asked to bat first. Stand-in skipper Jacques Kallis anchored South Africa’s chase with a gritty 89.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who took two important wickets in an incisive spell, was adjudged man of the match for his figures of 10-2-29-2 and his 22 off 20 balls. The teams will now travel to Gwalior for the second one-dayer on Wednesday.
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