New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir is not one to give up easily. He is a fighter and a player for big occasions.
Statistics speak for him. He was the top scorer in the both World Cup finals – 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup – which are considered Indian cricket’s biggest moments in last decade.
But times change. His form declined and the Delhi lad lost his place in the national team. Gambhir didn’t give up though. He worked hard and helped Kolkata Knight Riders become Indian Premier League (IPL) champions. Not once but twice – 2012 and 2014. And kept on working hard on his game, day and night, to make himself eligible for a comeback.
On Monday, when selectors met to select Indian team for the Test series against New Zealand, it was widely speculated that Gambhir would get a call up. And it wasn’t a wild guess. Gambhir had numbers behind his claim. In the ongoing Duleep Trophy, he notched up four half-centuries in four innings (77, 57, 90 and 94), including two scores in 90s.
When the squad was announce after a lengthy meeting, Gambhir’s name was missing. Instead, selectors decided to stick with the same bunch that won the series in West Indies.
It was later learned that his name was discussed in the meeting but captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble shot down the suggestion and insisted on extending the rope for under-performing Shikhar Dhawan, who is desperately looking for a big knock to bring his career back on track.
Although Gambhir is out of the national team for a long time now, the latest snub has come as a disappointment for him.
“I'm disappointed but not defeated,” Gambhir tweeted.
“I'm cornered but not a coward.
“Grit my partner, courage my pride...for, I must fight, I must fight...”
Gambhir was involved in an on-field altercations with Kohli in an Indian Premier League match, and now, the speculations are rife that the sourness in their relationship is a major reason for the left-hander’s continued absence from Team India.