Gautam Gambhir's top 5 legendary innings: Reliving the heroics that defined two World Cup finals
Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has been selected as India's head coach to fill in for outgoing mentor Rahul Dravid. As disclosed by the BCCI, Gambhir will start his coaching role with the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which commences on July 27.?
Previously, Gambhir has guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL title in 2024 and has helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) reach the playoffs in 2022 and 2023.
His run as a mentor has been outstanding with a 73% win rate with KKR, in addition to guiding LSG to 17 wins in 30 matches.?
As Gambhir prepares to successfully transition into the premier Team India role, let's take a look at five of his best innings across formats:
1. 97 vs Sri Lanka, 2011 World Cup Final, Wankhede
Gautam Gambhir's pivotal 97 in the 2011 World Cup final at Wankhede saved India from an alarming 31/2. He formed key partnerships with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in the process. Despite missing out on a century, his innings set the tone for India's victory, which was eventually sealed by Dhoni's iconic six.
2. 206 vs Australia, Delhi 2008
After leading 1-0 in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a win in the Mohali Test, India saw Gautam Gambhir scoring his maiden double-century (206), thereby reviving India's innings after early losses in the third Test at Delhi. With India declaring at 613/7, the match eventually ended in a draw. Although Gambhir was suspended for elbowing Shane Watson, he shone bright as the series' top scorer.
3. 150 vs Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens 2009
In the fourth ODI of India's 2009 tour of Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Gautam Gambhir's 150 propelled India to 332/5 after losing early wickets. He formed a 188-run partnership with MS Dhoni. Muttiah Muralitharan became the leading ODI wicket-taker. India won as Sri Lanka managed 265.
4. 75 vs Pakistan, 2007 World T20 Final, Johannesburg
In the 2007 World T20 final against Pakistan, Gautam Gambhir scored a much-needed 75 off 54 balls, which propelled India to a defendable score of 157/5. Despite Misbah-ul-Haq's late heroics, India clinched the first T20 World Cup trophy restricting Pakistan by a margin of five runs. Though Irfan Pathan, with a spell of 3/16, was named Man of the Match, Gambhir is often considered unsung hero of this match.
5. 167 vs New Zealand, Wellington 2009
India won the final Test at Wellington, thereby coming out victorious for the first time in New Zealand since 1968. Apart from Gambhir's majestic 167, other key contributions included fifties from Tendulkar, Harbhajan, and Dhoni along with Zaheer's five-wicket haul.
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