After getting a call-up for the remainder of the Test series against New Zealand, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir took to his Twitter handle to thank Bollywood superstar and owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders – the franchise he leads in the Indian Premier League – Shah Rukh Khan for his wishes, on Wednesday morning.
The 34-year-old was called up to replace KL Rahul, who sustained a hamstring injury during the opening Test in Kanpur. However, it remains to be seen if he will open with Murali Vijay in the second Test starting at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
The left-hander also took to his Twitter handle to pay tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, whom he considers his idol, and he expressed his wish he had even half the courage that Bhagat had during his lifetime.
If he does get a slot in the playing XI on Friday, Gambhir will look to carry his excellent form from the Duleep Trophy into international cricket. Gambhir scored four half-centuries in five matches in the competition to stake his claim for a place in the senior squad.
Also Read: Who Said What: World reacts as Gautam Gambhir returns to Indian Test team
When the squad for the series was announced, Gambhir didn’t find himself in the team, and when later asked in a press conference whether he was disappointed at being omitted, he had said that selection matters were not in his control and his job was to go and play a role in his team winning.
“I don’t play for selection honestly. Ultimately my job is to score runs and that is what I focus on.
“You should just go out there and look to control things which you can control, rest is selectors job. Whatever the selectors decide it is their opinion. My job is to go out there and help my team in winning,” the left-hander had said.
Now that he has got the nod, it will be interesting to see whether he can deliver on what will be his third coming in the Test team.
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