South Africa skipper Graeme Smith paid tribute to India's bowlers after the hosts enjoyed an eight-wicket victory on the third day to square the series 1-1 in the third and final Test.
South Africa managed just 121 in their second innings, setting India a modest 62-run target to square the series. The hosts finished at 64-2.
"We let ourselves down slightly. Little things here and there and we could have done better," said Smith on Sunday.
Despite that disappointment he was full of praise for the Indian attack on what was a difficult wicket.
"India bowled superbly. It is not easy to score quickly when one delivery is going through the top and another is keeping low. They kept us under pressure and made us work for our runs," Smith said.
"When you are playing on a wicket like this, the margins are very small. We were also 30 runs short in the first innings as we lost our way," said Smith, whose side were bowled out for 265 in the first innings.
The South African captain said he was satisfied with his team's recent performances in the sub-continent.
"It has been a terrific season. We had three series and I don't think many people gave us any chance. We won in Pakistan (in 2007), Bangladesh (this year) and came up against a very good Indian team," said Smith.
"Playing at home with the series 1-1, they probably won't be very happy. We would obviously have loved to win the series as we have played some terrific cricket."
Stand-in India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lauded man-of-the-match Sourav Ganguly for scoring a gutsy 87 in the first innings as India posted a handy 325.
"It was crucial the way Sourav batted in the first innings. On a track like this where any ball can kick and bounce, you have to be positive and keep scoring," said Dhoni, who led the team in the absence of unfit Anil Kumble.
"Australia has bounce, England has swing and New Zealand has seam. You expect spin in India. Every place has its speciality.
"It's not about the wicket alone as credit should be given to the bowlers and batsman."
