Gautam Gambhir has proven his credentials not only as a Test batsman, but has been equally good in the 50-over format as well. He has always provided a strong opening starts for India. After retirement of Sourav Ganguly, it was Gautam Gambhir who has been India’s best opening partner of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
This left-handed batsman from Delhi has played 147 ODIs and scored 5238 runs at an average of 39.68, with 11 hundreds and 34 fifties to his name. His best score of 150 not out came against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on December 24, 2009. Gambhir was a key player for India across the formats.
He made his debut in ODIs against Bangladesh in 2003. His last ODI was against England at Dharamshala in 2013. Here are top knocks of this class player.
Also Read: Can Gautam Gambhir make a comeback in longer format? Let’s look at Gauti’s top Test innings
1. 150 not out against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on December 24, 2009 – It has been the best ODI score of Gautam Gambhir. This was his brilliant ODI innings under pressure. Sri Lanka scored a massive 315 in 50 overs. Chasing 316, India started off very poorly as they lost their openers Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag very early. Gambhir was left to a big job with Virat Kohli at the other end. Both the batsmen played superb knocks. Their 224-run stand brought India back into the game. Sri Lankans could not do anything about it. Fans wanted Kohli to stay till the end. But he was dismissed after scoring well deserved 107. After this, Gambhir didn’t stop and scored 150. He shared another unbeaten stand of 70 runs with Dinesh Karthik. These two brought India home. India won this match by 7 wickets and 11 balls remaining. Gambhir was awarded man-of-the-match for outstanding 150 not out.
2. 150 Vs Sri Lanka at Colombo in 2008/09 - This was the fourth ODI of the series. After the wicket of Sehwag, Gambhir and MS Dhoni took the responsibility to give India a good total. Gambhir partnership with Dhoni was the match’s turning point. Their 188-run partnership for the second wicket took India to a big score. Unfortunately MS Dhoni’s innings ended on 94. But no one could stop Gambhir as he shared another partnership with Suresh Raina. The partnership of 103-run between Raina and Gambhir allowed India to post 332 runs. Chasing the target of 333 to win wasn’t easy for the Lankans as they were all out for 265 runs in 48 overs. Gambhir was named the man-of-the-match for his blazing knock of 150 runs.
3. 117 Vs Australia Commonwealth Bank Series in 2007/08 – This was Gambhir’s first series in Australia. He was the highest run getter for Team India. He scored 440 runs in that series. With one hundred, his 117 came against the Aussies at the SCG. Australia batted first and scored a huge total of 317. India couldn’t start off well. Gambhir and Dhoni played a rescued act together. They both consolidated innings by sharing 98 runs for the 5th wicket. This partnership ended when Dhoni was out on 36. After that Gambhir went on to forge another partnership with Robin Uthappa. India required a big partnership but this also ended on 67, when Gautam Gambhir was out on 113. In the end India lost the match by 18 runs.
4. 107 not out Vs Bangladesh in 2008 - This was the 3rd match played for the Kitply Cup in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Tigers batted first and scored a decent total of 222 in their 50 overs. They got to this total largely because of Raqibul Hasan’s 89 and Mohd Ashraful’s 36. Chasing the target of 223, Gambhir and Sehwag gave them gave the perfect start. Sehwag played a entertaining innings of 59 runs in just 32 balls. Then Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh played their cameos. Gambhir stood there till the end and his innings of 107 runs steered India home comfortably. India won the match by seven wickets and 85 balls to spare.
5. 97 Vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai – This innings of Gautam Gambhir is being remembered by every Indian. This match winning knock by Gautam Gambhir was played at the final of ICC World Cup 2011 in Mumbai, Wankhede Stadium. Mahela Jaywardene powered Sri Lanka to 274 in their 50 overs. India in reply were in the trouble after losing Sehwag on the second ball. Tendulkar too departed on 18. Virat Kohli and Gambhir shared a partnership which brought the home team on the right track. The duo added 83 for the 3rd wicket. Tilakratane Dilshan’s brilliant caught and bowled saw Kohli walking back to the pavilion. There was a big surprise when MS Dhoni came in ahead of inform player Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni played an mind-bowling innings of 91. With Gambhir, he added 109 runs that turned the game into India’s favour. When Gambhir was bowled by Tisara Peera, whole Wankhede Stadium went into silence. The Dhoni – Yuvraj combo ensured that India won the World Cup after 28 years.
