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Gambhir showed ability but lacked patience to make the chance count
INDORE: As India captain Virat Kohli won his third toss of the series, he immediately chose to bat first. The decision meant the focus had shifted quickly on the
INDORE: As India captain Virat Kohli won his third toss of the series, he immediately chose to bat first. The decision meant the focus had shifted quickly on the openers, especially Gautam Gambhir, who, at 34, is making a comeback into the Test side after more than two years on the sidelines.
The left-hand bat, known for his aggression on the field, showed positive intent. Brought in place of an injured KL Rahul, Gambhir slipped into the slot perfectly as he assumed the role of the aggressor as partner Murali Vijay chose to play a quiet game.
The Delhi cricketer began impressively, getting off the mark with a boundary in the fourth ball he faced. It was vintage Gambhir, as he rocked back on the back foot and punched the short ball to the boundary through point.
He upped the ante in the next over he faced, smashing two back-to-back sixes off Matt Henry. Both were bowled short and pulled over the boundary. Gambhir showed ability, but lacked patience.
The initial blows rattled the Kiwi bowlers, giving India a bright start. Gambhir, though, failed to settle down and chased runs with expansive shots.
He narrowly missed the outside edge off Santner. Gambhir drove away from his body on the front foot and was beaten comprehensively.
He did slow down in the middle stage of his 53-ball knock but could not curb his enthusiasm for long. He added two more boundaries in the next two overs, while constantly trying to rotate the strike.
At times he pushed for threes, when a two would have sufficed. At other times, he just went for a wild swing.
He mellowed down for a while after Vijay’s dismissal, but looked frustrated as the scoring ebbed. With the Kiwi bowlers finding their rhythm, Gambhir looked keen on wresting back the momentum. The search for runs though proved counter-productive and forced his hand.
Trent Boult caught him leg-before on 29. Gambhir pushed at a fullish ball that came in to find him plumb in front. It was a positive start, but one that he desperately needed to convert into a big knock.
There is still a possibility of another chance to perform in the second innings. However, Gambhir will rue the fact that he failed to build on a good start.
Gambhir’s chances of sticking with the Test side are slim once Rahul recovers.
Making a lasting impression is crucial to him being retained, especially since India’s third opening option Shikhar Dhawan has flattered to deceive despite the numerous opportunities given to him.
