Indian captain Rahul Dravid said the side had the wherewithal to tackle genuine fast bowling and promised to bounce back from the crushing 157-run loss against South Africa in the second one-dayer in Durban on Thursday.
"We have to play much better to be competitive, and we can play much better than this," Dravid said after India were bundled out for 91 in reply to South Africa's 248 for eight at the Kingsmead ground.
Dravid said India did not play to their potential. He did not believe the target was beyond his team but said the rival bowlers did not allow his batsmen to execute their strategy.
"We had to keep wickets but they bowled in the right areas and kept the pressure on us. We weren't just good enough today. Credit to their bowlers," he said.
Winning captain Graeme Smith credit the team's victory to Jacques Kallis who carved an unbeaten 119 and then captured three for three.
"We did think it (the total) was enough but all credit to Jacques (Kallis) who got us there after being 63 for three," he said.
On Andre Nel's explosive spell of four for 13, Smith said the right arm pacer deserved all the praise.
"He had an opportunity today. Normally Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini walk away with the glory but today it was his turn," he said.
Man of the match Kallis said he wished he could have done even better with the bat.
"I think I could have scored 15 or 20 runs more. Probably it was not my best knock," he said.
