Gautam Gambhir vs Shikhar Dhawan - The battle of form

April 2, 2011. It was one of the biggest nights for Indian Cricket. Millions of thirsty fans awaited solace from the drought of 28 long years. Heart beats synced, hands joined in prayers, while the voices unanimously echoed, “India, India”.

The fortress Wankhede was chock-a-block with buoyant fans as India took on Sri Lanka in the World Cup finals.

Chasing 275 in the second innings, team India was under pressure. The lions had a dream start by dismissing the dangerous duo Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag a bit too early in what seemed a long chase. India needed a hero to reclaim their 1983 crown.

While most of us remember this hero as MS Dhoni, the iron-willed, brilliant 97 from the second fiddle in the name of Gautam Gambhir was soon forgotten. The gritty batsman became the unsung hero of the victorious grand finale. And this wasn’t the first time that his innings soon disappeared from the mind’s eye. Gambhir was also the architect behind the 2007 T20 World Cup Title in which he scored a match-winning knock of 75 runs from 54 balls.

Four years down April 2, 2011, the left-handed batsman from Delhi was sidelined from the World Cup Squad. He last played an international match in the December of 2013, being replaced by youngster Shikhar Dhawan.

Gautam Gambhir vs Shikhar Dhawan

While the former is leaving no stone unturned to make his way back to the national team, the latter is struggling to find his form, which is only deteriorating with each match. The Gambhir vs Dhawan battle thus continues, with only stats to decide the fate of both.

Shikhar Dhawan, who hit a half-century against Sri Lanka in the home series, lost his spark in the Asia Cup T20 tournament. He could manage only 19 runs throughout the series, before compensating for it in his match-winning innings of 60 runs against Bangladesh in the Finals. However, quite naturally, his inconsistency in the tournament eclipsed his knock in the finals.

Dhawan has struggled with the bat

Next came the ICC World T20, another occasion for the southpaw to regain his form. Much to the dismay of his fans, he exhausted all the chances. His scores in the last seven innings since the World T20 read as – 1, 6, 23, 13, 8, 6 and 2. In the first 3 matches of the Indian Premier League, the opener scored only 16 runs, giving enough room for a comparison of his IPL stats with that of KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir.

It was only during the match against the Gujarat Lions last night that Dhawan managed a decent score of 53 from 41, which, if analysed meticulously, was under no pressure of racing against the ball since GL had posed only a meager score of 135 runs.

There is nothing exceptional when a Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan piles on the runs. But with the Delhi batsman, the case is different. As far as Gambhir’s IPL stats for 2016 are concerned, his orange cap is proof that the man is on a mission.

His brilliant innings, seen by his fans as a hope for his return to the national side, have given them something to cheer about amidst an otherwise uninspiring edition of the league so far. The KKR captain was seen at his vintage best during the match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in which he scored an unbeaten 90.

He nailed this supreme knock with his trademark cuts and swivels with ease. His strokes were reminiscent of the batsman at his peak. Overall, in the 4 matches played yet, Gambhir has scored 226 runs at an average of 113.00, deservedly possessing the prized orange cap.

Should Gambhir be given a chance?

Being brushed aside by the selectors time and again, Gautam Gambhir is certainly struggling to come out at the crease in blue. Also, if the cricket rumour mill is to be lent an ear, Dhoni’s relations with Gambhir are strained, which is another obstacle between the road from domestic to international cricket. And not to forget, things went murky between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir during the IPL 6, the aftershocks of which are still noticeable.

Well, with the inclusion of Gambhir in the team, the scenes at the dressing room do not look pleasant.

But, keeping aside the off-field matters and his loss of form, Gambhir’s incredible return to form recently puts across a question, “why not just another chance?” Considering that many cricketers have been given longer ropes by the selectors, should not the experienced Gambhir get a second bite at the cherry?

In big matches, Gambhir has rarely failed to prove his mettle. It is undeniable that the batsman has struggled with his technique for quite some time, but as highlighted already, his recent form has a different story to tell.

One of the most intense players, his determination is second to none when it comes to the sport. To be at his devastating best in the IPL, the cricketer set up an indoor coaching facility within his Delhi home. And of course, we can see the results.

Considering Dhawan’s not so great form, Gambhir’s inclusion in the national team will offer much freedom to the middle order to play with ease since the top order woes would resolve.

But, this is a game of cricket. A game which is synonymous with surprises. You never know when a certain Dhawan would spring up a surprise for his critics. At present, Gambhir’s numbers speak for him, while those of Dhawan’s speak against him.

Can India’s discarded hero make a comeback? Well, we will have to wait for the IPL to end for some more stats.

But with a little confidence of his teammates and a few more big innings, Gautam Gambhir, a recipient of the Arjuna Award, definitely deserves another go.