Gautam Gambhir ups the ante – Makes a bid for renewed stint

While Team India had already sealed the series with comprehensive victories over the tourists in the first two Test matches, the third holds an unquestionable prominence for Gautam Gambhir who after having spent a long time in the wilderness made way for the younger and more consistent lot as they solidified their positions in the national team.

He found his way back into the Indian line-up as BCCI beckons him to showcase his potential which could possibly seal him a more permanent spot in the Indian international line-up. Over the last 3 years or so, Gambhir has outsmarted his compatriots in domestic cricket and more so conquered every stage of domestic cricket that is played here.

His performances have demonstrated an unflinching consistency reminiscent of the form he carried while in the national team. His IPL career has soared to new heights as he welcomes captaincy as a challenge each year. His last Test outing for India was a forgettable affair, more so unfair for here was a man who after having displayed his mettle at the domestic level, had been waiting in the ranks for the elusive Test call-up which would permit him to don the Indian jersey again.

Retiring while being a regular in the national side ensures a healthy state of mind for any cricketer and Gambhir would has certainly fancied his chances of achieving that but alas, his Test call-up was more so an excuse for the board to call curtains on his international career once and for all for it came in the most trying conditions of all. England where much of the Indian line-up was looking for heavenly mercy, Gambhir’s element sunk and another exhausting wait kicked off for two years before he got another chance.

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This time around, Gambhir’s impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy wasn’t enough to earn him a place in the national side but an injury to Indian opener KL Rahul made him an instant favorite as a replacement. This time around, Gambhir was awarded the ideal setting for a second innings and he sure didn’t disappoint. He upped the ante in the second inning as he welcomed the role of the aggressor while Murali Vijay eased into the supporting role.

Gambhir with a slightly modified batting stance enabling him to perhaps be perceived as a bit more intimidating was always at a risk of being caught leg before. He resembled Shivnarine Chanderpaul, perhaps a tad bit more conventional but was aping his approach as he ceased to mellow down. Two back-to-back sixes of the bowling of Matt Henry only seemed to upsurge his hankering for more runs tried to get his T20 game to the Test arena.

He had undoubtedly found his rhythm but ran the risk of losing out on a good start. Vijay’s dismissal had a calming effect on Gambhir’s innings however the effect did not suffice for long. He seemed to have run out of patience as he attempted a couple of wild swings off the bowling of Santner and narrowly missed the outside edge, the running was overtly hurried and in the end, he was caught leg before by Boult on 29.

He came out in the second innings with the same positive intent. His footwork looked fluid while playing spin as he rocked back and forth and got off the mark with a square cut off the bowling of Jeetan Patel. While trying to sneak in a double, Gambhir further aggravated his battered shoulder as he dived in a bid to save his wicket and had to walk off the field for the time being.

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The realization that this perhaps may be his last chance to prove his worth and belonging in the national side may have dawned on Gambhir a healthy and quick treatment procedures sufficed enough to ensure that the left-hander walked out to finish his bid of regaining his place in the national side and ensured that his absence remains defined as an interlude rather than as a longish period of time.

Gambhir walked out to join Cheteshwar Pujara after Vijay’s dismissal and an adaptable approach to his batting as he limited his range of shots so as to relieve his shoulder seemed to have worked wonders for him as he brought in a touch of elegance while doing away with the nonessential extravagance he had experimented with in the first innings. His chances of returning to the national fold on a permanent basis are slender once KL Rahul recovers hence creating an enduring impression in this match was crucial.

Contextually speaking, Gambhir’s effort is laudable considering that he pushed up the ante and bolstered the run rate at a time when India was waiting for the runs to go past the declarable limit. However, a half century speaks little in Tests. Even so, Gambhir’s efforts deserve a call up for the England series, at least in the 15-man squad.