Skipper Rahul Dravid blamed his team's top order for the five-wicket loss in the first one-day international against South Africa in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
"The pitch was offering some assistance to the bowlers but the top order let us down," Dravid said after the match.
However, the captain was full of praise for Yuvraj Singh for his "beautiful" knock.
"We fought back very well after being reduced to 35 for five," Dravid said.
He admitted that the team had no option but to use Gautam Gambhir in place of Murali Karthik, which reduced the bowling options.
Victorious captain Graeme Smith was pleased with the good start to the series and said the aggression showed by the team upfront was key to success.
"The bowlers did well in the morning and it was a gutsy batting display which saw us through," Smith said.
He complimented Jacques Kallis for controlling the innings but said the team needed to work on the bowling in the death overs.
"It is important to go up 1-0 in a five match series but the next match would be a fresh start."
Both captains agreed that the next four day-night encounters would present a unique set of challenges and the dew could play an important role.
Toss would also be vital in those matches, they said.
Man of the match Yuvraj said he had to apply himself because the team had lost early wickets.
"I decided to bat till the end but was run out going for quick runs which cost the team some vital runs," the left-hander said.