JOIN USInjuries to regular openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul has set the stage perfectly for Gautam Gambhir to make a Test comeback. Gambhir, who last played a Test for India at the Oval in August 2014, made a stunning return to the squad following brilliant performances in the Duleep Trophy.
He looks a certainty to make the cut for the playing XI for the final Test against New Zealand starting on Saturday here but even if he performs, he could go out of favour again when England come calling in November as Rahul and Dhawan would return. Batting coach Sanjay Bangar begged to differ.
“I think Gautam Gambhir is a quality player. What he has done really for himself during the time he was out of the Indian team is he kept on performing for his franchise and the state side. When he got an opportunity in the Duleep Trophy, he was one of the top scorers there that too against the pink ball. Certain batsmen found pink ball difficult to pick. Yes, he ticked all boxes. Untimely injury to KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan made sure that there is a place for him. He’s got a proven record against spin bowling. And the number of Test matches, we are going to play in India, he becomes an important player right at the top of the order.”
Bangar was unperturbed by the mini slump in form of skipper Virat Kohli, who has innings of 44, 3, 4, 16, 9, 18, 9 and 45 since the double century against West Indies in the first Test.
“He had a tremendous tour of West Indies — he got a double hundred there. He was batting well in Jamaica too. Here (against New Zealand), if you analyse the (second) innings in Kolkata, it was a match-winning performance. India were tottering at 45 for 4 and from there, he and Rohit (Sharma) had a rearguard partnership. Obviously, sometimes, the volume of runs don't come but even small contributions can help the team win. I'm pretty sure he will be itching to convert the starts to bigger ones, but he has been making some crucial contributions.”