Nov. 11: One of the chief architects in India’s meteoric rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings has been opener Gautam Gambhir, whose helped India register many memorable wins. However, the wheels of fortune have changed and how.
The southpaw has had a miserable run with the bat, having made a paltry 89 runs in his last nine outings, prompting many to give Murali Vijay a chance. However, skipper M.S. Dhoni still believes that Gambhir is the best man in the opening slot.
“It happens in cricket. I feel Gambhir has set a benchmark and people expect him to go two notches above that everytime he comes to bat, which is not always possible. I feel Gambhir is going through phase where this is a pressure to perform and not the pressure of failure. He is a good cricketer and works hard at the nets and I am sure he is just one innings away from getting back to form.”
On Murali Vijay having to sit outside, Dhoni said, “Vijay has always done well in the opportunities offered to him. But at the moment, Gambhir is the best bet for us and Vijay will have to wait for some time.”
Speaking on playing a Test in Hyderabad, Dhoni said, “It is always nice to come down here and play cricket. We have played games here during the first edition of IPL and have played one-dayers too here. The wicket here has traditionally favoured the batsmen. Hopefully, we will have a good crowd to witness the match.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman seemed to be concerned with the much vaunted Indian batting line-up not doing well in the second innings of Tests. “Yes, our batting in the second innings has not been upto the mark. I feel it is a mental barrier and can be overcome. The trick is to remain in the present and not think too much ahead,” Dhoni explained.
Asked if Sachin Tendulkar was anxious to hit his 50th Test ton, the Indian skipper said, “Sachin is preparing the same way he does for any other match and I don’t think the anxiety level is too high... hopefully, he’ll get the ton over here.”