This One day specialist played his only Test at 35 (13 June 2001)

Robin Singh made his first class debut for Tamil Nadu in the 1985-86 season. The immensely gifted cricketer made his presence felt and a prominent role in Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy triumph in 1987-88 saw him make the tour of West Indies - the land of his birth - with the Indian team in 1989. He played in two ODIs, enjoyed only modest success in the first class games and was promptly forgotten after that. Around the domestic circuit he continued to perform aplomb but the selectors turned a blind eye. Belatedly he was brought back in 1996-97 and with a string of notable performances cemented his place in the one day squad.

But somehow his ubiquitous qualities - dashing middle order batsman, useful medium pace bowler, brilliant fielder anywhere - seemed more suited to instant cricket. Or at least the selectors were convinced of this, for they refused to consider him for Tests, even though Robin Singh had an excellent record in the first class game. Finally, a month after he turned 35, he played his first, and what transpired to be his only Test, against Zimbabwe at Harare in October 1998. He scored 15 and 12, bowled ten overs in the two innings conceding 32 runs without taking a wicket, picked up five catches. After that he was again confined to the one day squad. A poor reward for a dedicated team man and always fit cricketer.

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