Robin guides India to last-ball win over South Africa

Robin Singh has always had the reputation of being one of the coolest cricketers in contemporary cricket. On Sunday, he lived up to his reputation, clouting a last-ball six and guiding his team to a thrilling win over South Africa. The result saw India take third place in the tournament.

When Alfonso Thomas came on to bowl the last over, the Indians, who were chasing 85 for a win, needed 20 runs with five wickets in hand. A bye off the first ball brought Robin Singh to face the South African quick. The Indian skipper dispatched the second ball of the over for a six. The next ball,though, yielded just a run as Reetinder Singh Sodhi was run out when he and Robin attempted to complete two byes.

The left-handed Robin, though, brushed aside the setback, smashing a six off the fourth ball. With the next ball producing no run, the Indian skipper needed to hit a six off the last ball to ensure his team's win. Displaying the unflappable temperament that had made him a great asset in the Indian one-day team, the 39-year-old coolly thwacked one beyond the deep mid-wicket fence to seal his side's win and remain unbeaten on 28 off eight balls.

Another left-hander Hrishikesh Kanitkar had earlier got India off to a bright start by making 33 off 12 balls before retiring. His efforts meant that India were always within hitting range of South Africa's total of 84-0, a score entirely built upon a 32 from Lungile Bosnam and a 31 from Gerald Dros.

Dros' was a dramatic seven-ball innings, including as many as five sixes. Four of them were scored off consecutive deliveries from Robin. But on the day it was the Indian skipper who had the last laugh on Dros and the South African team.