5 most memorable performances by Indian players that helped them #ClingOnToVictory

Gautam Gambhir (75 v Pakistan, 2007 T20 World Cup)

Gambhir is one of India’s best big match players, playing two crucial knocks in two victorious campaigns in the finals for India at the World Cups. While it was MS Dhoni who stole the limelight for the 2011 ODI World Cup and Irfan Pathan, who won the Man of the Match for the 2007 T20 World Cup final, it was Gambhir’s strong hand that helped India in both cases.

Batting first, India scored 157, approximately half of which came off the left-hander's blade. Gambhir’s 75 came off just 54 balls at a strike-rate of nearly 139. The next highest score in the match was Misbah’s 43 as he fought a lone battle to take Pakistan home. But, they fell short by just 5 runs allowing India to win the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup.

Gambhir, the only half-centurion of that 2007 final, will also be remembered for his 97 once again in the 2011 ODI World Cup at Wankhede Stadium after India had lost Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early.