An option for troubled Indian opening pair, Gautam Gambhir made his Test debut against Australia in the fourth and final Test at Mumbai in 2004. Though he didn't exactly set the stage on fire at debut, Gambhir has been serving Delhi, his domestic side, well.
Five matches on, the left-hander boast of a century and half-century and looks set to retain his slot in the side for a while to come.
An attacking strokemaker, his cricketing assets include a compact footwork, high bat-speed and a youthful approach.
Gambhir came into focus after his aggressive double century against visiting Zimbabweans in 2002 for Board President's XI and another for his Ranji side, Delhi.
He pushed his case further when he amassed 617 runs on India A team's the tour of West Indies for the Caribb Beer series in 2003. It meant he was a natural option for Indian side.
He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2003 in Dhaka.