Those who doubted that cricket could be a demanding and capricious mistress needed only to watch the last ball of this incredible game. A current Indian Under-19 star and one from the not-too-distant past ranged against a side with a wealth of international experience. Two runs for the win, one for the tie. Who would your money have been on?

What unfolded was almost beyond belief. The experienced bowler, after a couple of nervous false starts, summoned up a delivery that couldn't quite be slogged, but when the ball streaked back towards him, he dived over it. Another international scampered in from long-off, gathered, and let fly with a throw that was a few feet wide of the stumps. International number three couldn't collect the ball. In between all this mayhem, with the stadium noise amplified to ear-splitting levels, the two lesser lights ran two. Game over.