Gautam Gambhir turns 38: Top 5 Test knocks by the ace cricketer

On the occasion of Gautam Gambhir's 38th birthday, we take a look at the Southpaw's illustrious Test career with Team India. Gautam Gambhir made his debut for the Indian red-ball side in 2004. In his Test career, that went on till 2016, Gautam Gambhir scored 4154 runs at an average of 41.95. Let us take a look at his top-five Test match innings.  

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Gautam Gambhir: 139 vs Bangladesh, 2004

This Test at Chattogram happened shortly after Gambhir made his Test debut in November. Gambhir and Rahul Dravid partnered for 259 runs. Gambhir made 139 in this innings of his which included 19 fours. India ended up with 540. Bangladesh could not equal the score in two innings and India won by an innings and 83 runs.

Gautam Gambhir: 167 vs Sri Lanka, 2009

This is another match where Gambhir's solid innings at the top helped India script a comprehensive victory. As India batted first, opener Gautam Gambhir built two vital partnerships. One with Virender Sehwag for 233 runs and one with Rahul Dravid for 137 runs. Gambhir scored 167, Sehwag 131, Dravid scored 144 and India ended their innings at 642. Sri Lanka just could not match up and ended up losing the match by an innings and 144 runs.  

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Gautam Gambhir: 167 vs New Zealand, 2009

After India batted first, Gambhir could not contribute much in the first innings and only managed 23. India still made a modest 379 and New Zealand could only manage 197 in their first innings. In the second innings, Gambhir made 167 and helped widen the Indian lead to 616. New Zealand ended up drawing the match but Gambhir still got declared the Man-of-the-match.

Gautam Gambhir: 179 vs England, 2008

This inning came at Mohali as India batted first against England. Gambhir made 179 as he walked in to bat at one. After opening partner Sehwag got out at zero, Gambhir and Rahul Dravid stitched a 314-run partnership. Gambhir missed a hundred in the second innings by only three runs. The match ended up being a draw but Gambhir was the undoubted Man-of-the-match.

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206 vs Australia, 2008

At his home ground, Delhi, Gambhir made his highest ever Test squad against a formidable Australia. Gambhir held his end of the wicket as he opened while other batsmen struggled to survive. He made a 130-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar before making a 278-run partnership with VVS Laxman. India declared at 613 with Gambhir making 206 and Laxman making 200*. The match ended up being a draw.

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