GAUTAM GAMBHIR
4154 runs in 58 Tests, 9 centuries and 5238 runs in 147 ODIs, 11 centuries

Feisty, fighter, outspoken and in your face are just some of the things that come to the mind when the name Gautam Gambhir is spoken. The Delhi boy made his debut for India in Tests in 2004 and ODIs in 2003 and served the nation in 58 Tests and 147 ODIs.

Gambhir remains the unsung hero of the Indian team as he played important innings for India in 2007 World T20 finals and 2011 World Cup finals, but didn’t receive the adulation and reward that he should have gotten. Named ICC Test Player of the Year for 2009, he also topped the ICC rankings for a while.

Gambhir could take on the bowlers and could also drop anchor and save Tests for India as he did against New Zealand making 137 in over five sessions. Gambhir was also a capable captain and achieved a 5-0 whitewash in ODIs against the Kiwis and led Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL title twice.

The nail in Gambhir’s Test career coffin came in the infamous 2011-12 Test series against England and Australia where India lost eight straight Tests; he was a walking wicket. In 2014 against England, Gambhir sustained an injury after earning a call-up as the backup opener.  

Gambhir since then only played for India against England in 2016 and more or less has fallen off the radar. At 37-years of age, Gambhir is a regular in Indian domestic circuit, but a call for Indian team has become a distant dream with the rise of better and younger openers.