Chennai: Out of the team, Gautam Gambhir had declared that he will fight his way back into the Test squad. A lot to prove for the left-hander, Gambhir led India ‘A’ from the front and decimated the Australian spinners all over the field on his way to a scintillating century that was laced with 13 fours and three sixes. His innings coupled with some good knocks from Rohit Sharma and Manoj Tiwary propelled India A to a comfortable 338 for four on the opening day of their second and final warm-up game here on Saturday.
Gambhir it seemed was spurred by his omission from the Test squad and batted with a lot of purpose. Opting to bat, Gambhir and Jiwanjyot Singh (24) was cautious at the start. Off to a decent start, India lost their first wicket on 67 when Jiwanjot Singh was caught brilliantly by Shane Watson off Xavier Doherty. Thereafter Gambhir was joined by Rohit Sharma, who also had a lot at stake, and the duo led the charge against the Aussie spinners.
Gambhir especially was watchful against the trio of left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc (0/36) and the dangerous Peter Siddle (0/30). He tried to cut down on the dab shot that had brought his downfall but did punish the loose deliveries occasionally when the pacers were in operation.
Once the spinners were introduced, Gambhir was at his element best. Whether it was Nathan Lyon (0/97) in 20 overs or rookie left-arm spinner Ashton Agar (0/78 in 13 overs), Gambhir took them to task by using his feet brilliantly.
Both Gambhir and Rohit earmarked Agar as the weak link among the spinners as he was repeatedly lofted for over boundaries.
For Australia, left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty staked a claim for a place in the playing XI of the first Test by claiming three for 69.