New Delhi: Rarely does Indian cricket get to see an opener as worthy and flamboyant as Gautam Gambhir, who used to steer the team with his composed batting skillset. Known for going with the flow rather than pursuing aggressive batting. Gambhir’s batting masterclass proved match-winning for India during the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, which etched his name in the history books for being a vital cog in both of the triumphs.
It is kind of usual that a batter who is expected to carry the burden of the team and pull it out of the hole during an ICC knockout clash falters and then the team finds its hero in an unexpected saviour. Such was the aura of Gambhir who didn’t just cement his spot in the Indian team but also proved time and again why he is one of the bests when it comes to handling the pressure, minimising it to almost none for the middle.
2⃣4⃣2⃣ international matches
1⃣0⃣3⃣2⃣4⃣ international runs 💪
2007 World T20 winner 🏆
2011 World Cup winner 🏆
Here’s wishing #TeamIndia Head Coach @GautamGambhir a very Happy Birthday 🎂👏 pic.twitter.com/fYirNWAZ4w
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 14, 2024
Having bid farewell to his international career a few years back, he recently joined the Indian team to begin his second stint. This time, he was named the new head coach of the senior men’s team after Rahul Dravid’s departure from the role who lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup with the team.
Gambhir debuted for Team India in 2003 and played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is until announcing retirement from all forms in 2018. In his 15 years of international career, he amassed 10324 runs. As he turns 43 on October 14, here’s a revisit to Gambhir’s stellar and not-so-talked-about knocks that steered India to glory not once but twice!
75 in 2007 T20 World Cup final
What does a team desperately need after winning the toss and deciding to bat first? Indeed a good start… and a very good start when it is the final of the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup. Gambhir, who came out to open with Yusuf Pathan, smashed 75 runs off 54 balls laced with eight fours and two sixes. His knock was a major building block in India’s 157/5 in 20 overs as Pakistan came quite close during the chase, putting up 152 as India won the nail-biter game with five runs to spare.
Here’s the full highlights of the match –
97 in 2011 T20 World Cup final
India were eyeing glory after 28 years but Sri Lanka dented India’s hopes with a very early blow in the form of an explosive Virender Sehwag. Sachin Tendulkar, who was the other opener in the match, was then joined by Gambhir who held his end firm and went on to smack a crucial 97 runs off 122 balls laced with nine fours. He partnered with the likes of Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni – whose match-winning six took all the spotlight, keeping Gambhir’s 97 behind the curtains.
Here’s a glimpse of Gambhir’s knock –
The anchor of India’s innings ⚓️@GautamGambhir saved his best for the 2011 final. #CWC11Rewind pic.twitter.com/lLL3bij1nM
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) April 2, 2021
Little does anyone want to hear about the man who “actually” delivered for the team when it mattered the most. Gambhir is although a controversial figure, known for his blunt but honest takes on cricketers around the globe, which certainly doesn’t steal away the fact that he deserves immense gratitude and recognition for his pivotal contributions in getting India two World Cups, being the man of the big moments.
A big and heartfelt thanks GG! Gautam Gambhir is well revered for his match-winning knocks for Team India during the finals of the 2007 T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cups which led the nation to glory. As he turns 43, here’s a look at how he steered the team with his batting masterclass. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
