Top 10 knocks by Gautam Gambhir

#4 75 vs Pakistan at Johannesburg, 2007

Gambhir's knock helped India reach a challenging total at the 2007 World T20 final

One of Gambhir’s most important knocks for Team India came during the final of the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007. Gambhir was in terrific form throughout the tournament and was India’s highest run-getter heading into the final.

In the final, India were up against none other than their rivals Pakistan. The venue was Johannesburg, the same ground India had lost the World Cup final to Australia four years previously. India won the toss and MS Dhoni decided to bat first.

Gambhir was the only one who stepped up to the occasion as the likes of Yusuf Pathan, MS Dhoni, and Yuvraj Singh disappointed with the bat. Gauti batted superbly and kept the Indian scoreboard ticking. He managed his highest score of the tournament - 75 from 54 balls - before being dismissed by Umar Gul. India ended their innings at 157/5 thanks to Rohit Sharma’s 16-ball cameo of 30.

In reply, Pakistan struggled to 77/6 before Misbah-ul-Haq brought them back into the game. However, he played a risky scoop in the final over which was caught by Sreesanth and India won by five runs. Despite Gambhir’s 75, the Man of the Match award was given to Irfan Pathan who bowled a brilliant spell of 3/16. Nevertheless, Gambhir’s performance in the final will never be forgotten.

#3 150 vs Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, 2009

Gambhir's 150 helped India seal the series against Sri Lanka

India led 2-1 in their 5-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in late 2009 and the fourth match was held at Eden Gardens, the first match at the ground since India’s Test against Pakistan in 2007. Coincidentally, the last ODI at the ground was also an Indo-Lankan clash.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and decided to bat first. Upul Tharanga’s brilliant 118 assisted by Sanga’s 60 and cameos from Thisara Perera and Thilina Kandamby took the visitors to 315/6 from their 50 overs.

In reply, India got off to a disastrous start as they lost openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar within the first four overs.

At this stage, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli brought the hosts back into the game through their brilliant and steady batting. Gambhir was on fire during the run-chase, battering the Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. The duo added 224 for the 3rd wicket which remains India’s 2nd highest 3rd-wicket partnership in ODIs. Kohli reached his maiden ODI ton before being dismissed for 107.

Following Kohli’s departure, Gambhir began to accelerate and reached his second score of 150 in ODIs. India won the match with nine balls to spare but Gambhir was not done pleasing the crowd. Following the match, he was adjudged the Man of the Match but gave the award to Kohli as a congratulatory gesture for scoring his maiden ODI ton.