DELHI (Reuters)
Indian newspapers have described their national cricket team as chokers following their defeat by South Africa in a triangular-series final.

India were dismissed for 183 at Durban, and South Africa cantered to victory by six wickets -- reaching their target with 7.5 overs to spare.

It was India's ninth successive loss in a one-day-international final since April 1998.

The Times of India carried the headline "Indians choke in final once again", while the Hindustan Times ran an eight-column headline saying "Predictable India suffer from terminal collapse".

The Indian Express said the Indian team's biggest problem was getting the basics wrong. "A fumbled catch, nine runs thrown away in sundries in one over and man-of-the-series Gary Kirsten's methodical presence for the most part ensured South Africa took control," the paper said beneath the headline "Picture perfect for hosts as India freeze in final frame."

India's nine successive one-day final defeats include losses to New Zealand in last year's ICC Knockout Trophy in Nairobi, to West Indies in Zimbabwe earlier this year and to Sri Lanka in a triangular series also involving New Zealand.

Sri Lanka, winners of the 1996 World Cup, also crushed India in a tri-series at Sharjah last October after dismissing them for their third-lowest one-day total of 54.

"Another familiar debacle" was how the Asian Age newspaper described that defeat.

Meanwhile India's cricketers remain in South Africa for a three-Test series which starts next month in Bloemfontein.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd