Top 10 knocks by Gautam Gambhir

#8 137 vs New Zealand at Napier, 2009

The southpaw produced a temperamental knock against the Kiwis at Napier

After defeating the Kiwis in an ODI series on their home turf for the first time ever, India won the opening Test of the three-match series, at Hamilton. They then moved on to play the second Test at Napier. The hosts batted first and lost their first three batsmen within the first 11 overs. However, Jesse Ryder’s majestic 201, helped by centuries from Ross Taylor (151) and Brendon McCullum (115) and fifties from James Franklin (52) and skipper Daniel Vettori (55) powered the Black Caps to 619/9 in their first innings.

In reply, India could only score 305 with Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman scoring 83 and 76 respectively. India trailed by 314 runs and Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori enforced the follow-on. In the second innings, Sehwag hit a few early boundaries but was dismissed by Jeetan Patel for 22. At this stage, Gambhir took center-stage and batted very patiently, keeping India’s scoreboard ticking.

The southpaw built three crucial partnerships with Dravid, Tendulkar, and Laxman to rescue India. He batted for nearly two days, scoring 137 from 436 deliveries. Laxman and Yuvraj Singh later helped India to 476/4 and the match was drawn resulting in India maintaining their 1-0 lead. This innings remains one of Gauti’s finest.

#7 167 against New Zealand at Wellington, 2009

Gambhir scored a valuable 167 against the Kiwis

After drawing the second Test at Napier, India faced the Kiwis in the final Test of the series at Wellington. India were sent in to bat by New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and managed 379 thanks to fifties from Sachin Tendulkar (62), Harbhajan Singh (60), and skipper MS Dhoni (52).

In reply, the hosts were bundled out for 197 with Zaheer Khan picking up five wickets and Harbhajan Singh scalping three. In the second innings, India lost Virender Sehwag early but Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid added 170 for the second wicket to put the visitors in a good position.

Gambhir continued his good form in the series as he destroyed the Kiwi bowlers and scored his second century of the series. The left-handed batsman went on to score 167 from 257 deliveries as India declared their innings at 434/7, setting the hosts a target of 507.

The Indian bowlers, especially Harbhajan Singh, wreaked havoc in the second innings but Ross Taylor’s 107 assisted by 49 from Martin Guptill and James Franklin plus some sensible batting from Daniel Vettori and Iain O’Brien helped New Zealand draw the game with only two wickets remaining.

India won the series 1-0, their first in New Zealand since 1968 and Gambhir was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superb knock in the second innings. The southpaw eventually ended the series as the highest run-scorer.