Gautam Gambhir, the legendary batter and current head coach of the Indian cricket team, celebrates his 43rd birthday today, October 14. Renowned for his aggressive batting style and versatile approach as an opener, Gambhir has played a pivotal role in numerous victories for Team India. His contributions extend beyond his playing days, as he now guides the team towards excellence across all formats of the game. Here are the top five career highlights of this cricketing icon, who was part of the triumphant squads for the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
1. World Cup Final, 2011: 97 Against Sri Lanka
Gambhir's remarkable innings of 97 runs in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka was crucial in setting up India's victory. After a shaky start, where the team found itself at 31 for 2, Gambhir formed vital partnerships with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. Although he narrowly missed out on a century, his innings laid the foundation for India's successful chase, culminating in Dhoni's iconic six to seal the win.
2. Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 2008: 206 Against Australia
In the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir scored a stunning double-century (206) in the third Test at Delhi. His innings was instrumental in stabilizing the Indian batting lineup after an early collapse. India declared at 613 for 7, and despite the match ending in a draw, Gambhir finished as the highest run-scorer of the series, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
3. India Vs Sri Lanka: A Magnificent 150
During India's 2009 tour of Sri Lanka, Gambhir's brilliant 150 in the fourth ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium was pivotal in leading India to a total of 332 for 5 after a shaky start. His partnership with MS Dhoni, which yielded 188 runs, was crucial in securing victory against Sri Lanka, who could only manage 265 runs in response.
4. T20 World Cup Final, 2007: 75 Against Pakistan
In the inaugural T20 World Cup final against Pakistan in 2007, Gambhir's knock of 75 runs from 54 balls was critical in setting a competitive target of 157 for 5. Although Misbah-ul-Haq made a late attempt to chase down the score, India's bowlers, led by Irfan Pathan's exceptional performance, ensured a historic five-run victory and the first T20 World Cup title for India.
5. New Zealand Vs India, Test: Match-Winning 167
Gambhir played a pivotal role in India’s first Test victory in New Zealand since 1968, scoring 167 runs in the final Test at Wellington. His six-hitting display was complemented by contributions from teammates like Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, and MS Dhoni, all scoring fifties, while Zaheer Khan's five-wicket haul sealed the win for India.
Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Era
Following his retirement, Gambhir transitioned to coaching, first mentoring the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022. His leadership helped the team become a playoff contender in subsequent seasons. In 2024, he returned to his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, as a mentor, leading them to their third IPL title with standout performances throughout the tournament.
Recently appointed as the head coach of Team India, Gambhir’s leadership will be pivotal in upcoming events, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and ICC Champions Trophy. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his coaching will impact the team's performance as they strive for more accolades in 2025.