5 of Gambhir's most significant contributions in India's cricket history

97 vs Zimbabwe at Harare, 2nd Test played between 20-22 September 2005

Gambhir's 97 at Harare helped India secure their first overseas Test series win in 19 years.

After scoring a maiden hundred in his first series outside India against Bangladesh, Gambhir was trying to secure his place as Sehwag's opening partner in the Test side. In his first series outside Asia, Gambhir did not have much role to play in India's victory in their first Test at Bulawayo.

In the second Test match, Sourav Ganguly - in what would be his last outing as India's captain - rightly elected to bowl. Irfan Pathan's seven-wicket haul helped India bundle the opposition out for 161.

India's first innings began with a bang, with Sehwag scoring 44 at run a ball, before holing out to Heath Streak. After Sehwag's departure, Gambhir took the lead, registering a 123-run partnership with Rahul Dravid.

Gambhir scored 97 at a strike rate of over 80, giving the bowlers enough time to bowl at the opposition under good bowling conditions. Though the team could not capitalize on the good start, Dravid held one end up and ensured India got a 200-run lead.

Though both batsmen got out in the 90's, nine wickets between Zaheer and Irfan ensured India only had to score 19 runs to win the match.

This victory secured India's first overseas Test series win after a huge gap of 19 years.