Top 10 knocks by Gautam Gambhir

#2 206 vs Australia at Delhi, 2008

Gambhir's massive double century against Australia at Delhi is his finest Test knock

It would be strange had any of Gautam Gambhir’s finest cricketing knocks not come at his home ground - Feroz Shah Kotla. This innings is undoubtedly one of the finest ever seen at the ground and one of the best Test innings of that year.

India were leading 1-0 in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy after two Tests, winning the second Test at Mohali. In the third Test at Delhi, India batted first and got off to a poor start as they lost Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid early.

However, Gautam Gambhir brought the Indian innings back on track through his terrific batting as he completely outplayed the Aussie bowling en route to his maiden Test double-century. The southpaw stitched together two brilliant partnerships of 130 and 278 with Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman respectively before being dismissed for 206.

India declared their innings at 613/7 after batting for nearly two days. Australia had a similarly long first innings, ensuring the match was drawn. Gambhir was suspended for the final Test for elbowing Shane Watson. Despite this, he ended the series as the highest run-scorer.

#1 97 vs Sri Lanka at Mumbai, 2011

Gambhir's 97 is one of the biggest reasons why India won the 2011 World Cup

You may have guessed by now which innings takes the top spot. Gambhir’s most valuable innings for India came at the biggest stage of ‘em all - the World Cup final in 2011 at the Wankhede Stadium. Sri Lanka batted first and after a shaky start, put up 274/6 on the board thanks to Mahela Jayawardene’s century.

In reply, India got off to their typical World Cup final start, losing an opener early. This time, it was Virender Sehwag off only the second ball of the innings. Soon, Sachin Tendulkar was sent back and India were reeling at 31/2.

Gambhir rescued the Indian innings, hitting some beautiful boundaries and not shying away from taking quick singles and twos. He formed a partnership of 83 with Virat Kohli and after the latter’s dismissal, stitched another partnership, this time with skipper MS Dhoni.

Gambhir reached 97 before being bowled by Thisara Perera whilst attempting to hit through the off-side. However, he had put India in a commanding position by then and they eventually won the match courtesy of MS Dhoni’s memorable six in the penultimate over.

Dhoni’s 91 earned him the Man of the Match award but Gambhir’s 97 set the tone for the Indian team after they had lost two early wickets.