New Delhi, July 26: Opener Ajinkya Rahane’s classy 92 went in vain as the Indians slumped to a four-wicket defeat against South Africa XI in their fourth 50-over match of the Emerging Players tournament in Brisbane on Sunday.

Put in to bat, the Indians posted 271/6, thanks mainly to Rahane’s 120-ball 92, which included five fours and a six. Naman Ojha (48), captain S. Badrinath (44) and Abhishek Nayar (42) were the other notable contributors.

In reply, the South Africans overhauled the target in 48.3 overs to win the match comfortably with three players — Stiaan van Zyl (60), Vaughn van Jaarsveld (50) and Farhaan Behardien (50) — scoring a half century each at the Albury Oval.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3/39, while Pradeep Sangwan, Badrinath and Virat Kohli scalped one wicket each.

The Indians were in for a chance after they reduced the South Africans to 56/2, but the Protea third-wicket stand of 82 between van Zyl and captain van Jaarsveld changed the complexion of the game.

Thereafter a 64-run fifth wicket partnership between van Zyl and Behardien shut the door on the Indians, who had lost by 10 runs to the same opponents in their first 50-over match of the tournament on July 21.

Earlier, India XI openers Rahane and Ojha put up a 100-run stand to give the team a solid start. They consolidated further with Rahane and Badrinath bringing up 86 runs for the second wicket.

Rahane’s departure, however, triggered a mini collapse with India XI being reduced to 200/5 before Nayar and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Shah shared a 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take the visitors past 270.

Sunday’s loss was India XI’s third 50-over defeat in the tournament. The S. Badrinath-led Indian side had also been beaten by the Australian Institute of Sports on July 23. The Indians, however, won their last match against New Zealanders on Friday.

Scores: Indians 271/6 in 50 overs (Rahane 92, Ojha 48) lost to South Africans 274/6 in 48.3 overs (van Zyl 60, van Jaarsveld 50; Kumar 3/39)