Ramnaresh Sarwan was the central figure as the West Indies fell just short against Sri Lanka on Friday, pushing them close to an early exit from the World Cup.
Sarwan was advised by doctors not to play on
Sarwan came back out to bat after having hospital treatment following a blow on the head from a Dilhara Fernando a bouncer.
And the West Indies batsman defied medical opinion to hit a heroic unbeaten 47 that brought the Windies close to victory in Cape Town.
He needed on-field medical attention for almost five minutes before eventually being stretchered off and rushed to a nearby hospital for X-rays.
And Sarwan later revealed that he did not have to think twice about returning to the action after his trip to hospital.
"I basically misread the short delivery that I received," said Sarwan.
"Once I got checked and I realised that I was okay, I decided that I wanted to come out and fight for the West Indies.
"The game was very important for us. We had to win to go into the Super Sixes and I was determined to try my best.
Cricket is about heart... you have to be man enough to fight to the bitter end
"It was always going to be difficult to score eight to 10 runs per over in the last couple of overs with the bowlers at the crease but I gave it a shot - with a little luck we could have got the runs.
"I don't like to lose. None of us want to lose and I am a very proud person. When I saw what was happening, I had to come to the crease.
"Cricket is about heart.
"There will be occasions when you are struck down by someone or something but you have to be man enough to fight to the bitter end."
West Indies manager Ricky Skerrit added: "The doctors told him that, in normal circumstances, you should not play again after a head injury, as a precaution.
"But he wanted to bat again so we asked the doctor whether it might still be safe for him to go back out if he was needed.
"And he said yes, once the tests cleared him of any neurological problems."