Profile
The manner in which Gautam Gambhir's career took off in 2008, following an initial bedding-in period, is simply stated astronomical. As fans and selectors alike rode on his ascendancy, the diminutive batsman has only grown in metaphorical stature over the period of time to laud over rivals and contemporaries alike.
Debuting in 2003, the left-hander remained in and around the fringes of the ODI side. After a 96 in only his third Test innings against South Africa in 2004, he reached his maiden ton against Bangladesh in the same year. An ODI hundred came almost a year later against Sri Lanka. Yet, in an Indian top order that underwent immense experimentation between Ganguly, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dravid; Gambhir always floated around the periphery. The same unsettled top order was a part of India's poor showing in the 2007 World Cup, in which Gambhir didn't feature. He returned as a part of the young Indian side that won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 the same year. It started an ascendancy of orbital proportions for both India and Gambhir. After being given an extended opportunity to partner Sehwag in both forms of the game, every second outing in either format was graced, at minimum, with a half-century. It culminated in the destruction of various records, including one by the great Viv Richards.
Gambhir was involved in India's first victory in New Zealand in four decades, in addition to his role in denying Australia bragging rights in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Top that, there were the series victories against the touring Sri Lankan and English sides. The man they fondly call 'Gauti', excelled in these outings as he mastered the art of facing spin bowling and formed one half of what became one of the most dominating opening partnerships in modern cricket. Since the mid-2000s, Cook-Strauss and Gambhir-Sehwag have been the most thriving pairs at the head of a batting order. While Cook's drop in form saw its lowest ebb in 2010, Gambhir continues to ride the wave. From an Indian perspective, long may it continue!
Fast Facts
- Gautam Gambhir was named the ICC Test Player of the Year in 2009.
- He became the first Indian batsman, and fourth overall, to record five hundreds in five consecutive Tests.
- Gambhir also became the second player in history to score 11 consecutive fifties in 11 Tests, a feat earlier achieved by Sir Viv Richards.
- He became the first Indian to record more than 300 runs in four consecutive Test series.
- Gambhir was India's top scorer in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, finishing with 227 runs. It was the second highest overall, behind Matthew Hayden's 265.
Statistics
| Matches | Innings | Runs | NO | Avg. | SR | 100's | 50's | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 37 | 66 | 3077 | 5 | 50.44 | 54.13 | 9 | 14 |
| T20 | 23 | 22 | 621 | 0 | 28.22 | 124.2 | 0 | 6 |
| IPL | 40 | 39 | 1097 | 4 | 31.34 | 125.51 | 0 | 8 |
| CLT20 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 4.5 | 50 | 0 | 0 |
Career
Span:- Test:
- 2004-2010
- ODI:
- 2003-2010
- T20:
- 2007-2010
- IPL:
- 2008-2010
- CLT20:
- 2009-2009
- Test
- Debut:
- India Vs Australia at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (Bombay) - Nov 03, 2004
- Last played:
- India Vs South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion - Dec 16, 2010
- ODI
- Debut:
- India Vs Bangladesh at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka - Apr 11, 2003
- Last played:
- India Vs New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai (Madras) - Dec 10, 2010
- T20
- Debut:
- India Vs Scotland at Kingsmead, Durban - Sep 13, 2007
- Last played:
- India Vs Sri Lanka at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia - May 11, 2010
- IPL
- Debut:
- Delhi Daredevils Vs Rajasthan Royals at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi - Apr 19, 2008
- Last played:
- Delhi Daredevils Vs Deccan Chargers at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi - Apr 18, 2010
- CLT20
- Debut:
- Delhi Daredevils Vs Victorian Bushrangers at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi - Oct 09, 2009
- Last played:
- Delhi Daredevils Vs Cape Cobras at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi - Oct 19, 2009
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