Another career of Impeccable players was cut short due to the dirty politics of Indian Team Selection Committee. There are fine examples of players who were performing outstandingly well in the 2011 world cup but still, they were not included in the two world cups 2015 and 2019. If it's not about making runs every time then what is the point of organising these big tournaments. Careers of some of the greatest players of this era like Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, VVS Laxman and “Gautam Gambhir” were cut-short for what reason that we need more youngsters over these Cricketers. If any of these “Greatest Cricketers” would have played for any other cricket nation the record books would have been more terrifying.
The southpaw from Delhi amassed more than 4000 runs with an amazing average of 42.52 in the most hardest form of cricket. The figures in the test cricket back his case with the contribution he had in Indian cricket history. During his career, Gambhir played many match-winning knocks in test cricket. Few of them led India team over the line, but some of them took the bail of India team from the very moment of losing a match.
Take a look at the Unforgettable test knocks of Gautam Gambhir:
1. 137 vs New Zealand, Napier, 2009:
It was the peak years of Gautam Gambhir's career and this was the first time when Southpaw defined why he was the dependable player not only about scoring runs quickly in a fashion but also in terms of patience in this innings he had put on for 643 minutes. The team was almost struggling to defend the match against the host.
2nd test match of the series and already taking the 1-0 lead team India was confident to clinch up the series at Napier test. After winning the toss, the New Zealand Captain decided to bat first and at the score of 23/3 it looked like the home captain made a suicidal move to bat first.
But followed next was the absolute carnage of Kiwis batsman with Ross Taylor (151), Jesse Ryder (201), James Franklin (52), Brendon McCullum (115) and Daniel Vettori (55) to helped New Zealand post on 619/9 and declared their first innings.
Team India crumbled down 305 in their first innings and host forced team India to avoid the follow on. With Sehwag departing early – the clouds of defeat were with India. But with the golden form of his career – Gautam Gambhir Stunned the cricketing world with one of best innings of life.
643 no it's not a random number it was time he had spent on the crease in this innings. With three valuable match saving partnerships with Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. When Gambhir departed team India was in the secure position and the match ended in a draw which was at one stage looking in the favour of hosts.
2. 206 Vs Australia, Delhi, 2008:
Scoring runs against predator Australian was always special. This time it was the border Gavaskar Trophy when Australia toured India. Coming into the third test, it was a do and die situation of Australian as they were trailing by 1-0 in the series.
After winning the toss, Indian Captain decided to bat first, with 27/2 Gautam Gambhir with golden form in the series smashed the first-ever double century of his career while altering the line and length of mighty Australia bowlers along with some verbal talks on the field during his batting – it was clear tourist was surprised to see the full flow of the batting from Gautam Gambhir.
Although the match was ended in draw but it was not possible without double century from Gambhir along with the valuable partnership with other batsman.
The southpaw amassed 463 runs in 3 tests at a mind-boggling average of 77.14 with two centuries and the way Gambhir took on Australian single handily throughout the tour was applauded by the fans around the world.
3. 167 Vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2009:
Same series and once again the flamboyant Gautam Gambhir showed the class of his calibre. After the exhibition of his patience in the 2nd test Gambhir continued the flow of runs in the 3rd test too and match saving inning come once again in second innings of team India.
After winning the toss, hosts forced the team India to bat first to taste the flavour of swing bowling and team India had managed to scored 379 in their innings. The host was crumbled to 197 in their first innings – it was clear kiwis will be on the losing end at the end of the match.
With the lead of 182 runs, team India looking their star line up to confirm their victory and then comes the Gautam Gambhir with the golden form of his career – 2008 and 2009 Gautam Gambhir scored 2000 at an average of 50 and one of his reason was his tour of New Zealand in 2009.
Taking the front side in the second innings and confirmed the victory of team India with his remarkable 167 run knock while team India declared their innings at the score of 434/7. With the target of 617 hosts had the two options – draw or loss from here.
With the hopes of winning the match and level the series kiwis started the chase and it was complete nightmare for kiwis with 84/4 and one partnership between Ross Taylor and James Franklin looked like they could save the team from defeat but Harbhajan Singh picks up the crucial wicket of Ross Taylor at the score of 226/5 and with score of 258/8 it was all over for kiwis but the weather conditions ended the match in a draw.
Gautam Gambhir was adjudged with man of match for his knock and it was the series win after 33 long years in New Zealand for team India.
4. 64 Vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2011:
This epic match was completely belonged to the Gautam Gambhir perfection on the fast track of Cape Town. The final test with everything was on the stake for both the sides. After winning the toss, team India forced the process to bat first and they went onto post 362 in their first innings.
Team managed to scored 364 in their first innings with the fine knock of Gambhir 93. With 340 to chase in 3 sessions of a final day – it was clear Sehwag and Gambhir will go for the victory even on the last chance. But swashbuckling opener Sehwag departs at the score of 27/1 – with this hopes crossing the line was very less. Gambhir dropped his gears from anchor role and played a match-saving knock of 64 runs off 184 balls.
With 20 overs to go in a match, When Gambhir departs chances of losing a match was very less as a result of it game ended in a draw but it was not possible without the knock of Gautam Gambhir.
5. 66 Vs England, Chennai, 2009:
Who can forget the epic chase of 387 Against England in 2009 but it was possible without the match-winning knock of Gautam Gambhir in the second of first Test. England tour of India and coming into the first Test tourist after winning the toss decided to bat first on the Chennai ground.
They have managed to scored 316 in their first innings which was looking over 500 at one stage 164/1 but Indian spin department put the break on their runs and crumbled them at the low score.
With the star line up of team India has started their first innings but they were complete disaster as they have managed to score just 241 in their first innings as England Seamers dismantle the star line up to restrict them under 250 and get the crucial lead in the first innings.
With fine centuries of Andrew Strauss (108) and Paul Collingwood (108) England declared their second Innings at the score of 311/9. Now the target was 387 in the court innings for the hosts with 3 session to go Indian all time greatest opening pair Virender Sehwag (83) and Gautam Gambhir (66) put on quick fire 117 run stand partnership for the 1st wicket in just 22 overs to make sure team India is in the mood to write history today.
What followed next was the epic run chase in the history of cricket and India won the game by 6 wickets in hand but it was somewhere not possible without that opening stand partnership in a quick fashion. Although this knock was overshadowed by other consodalited knocks of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh in the epic run chase.
Also Read | 5 best ODI performances of Gautam Gambhir
