Gautam Gambhir-The Saviour

Gautam Gambhir continues to showcase his class ,by helping India draw the second test against New Zealand.After New Zealand enforced the follow on,India were in deep trouble at 47-1.

Gambhir ,know for his attacking style and charismatic displays played a not-so-elegant yet patient innings to finish day4 at 102*.His style was more reminiscent of Rahul Dravid whom he outlasted.

On day 5,Gambhir built on his innings,so that by Tea India were sure of drawing(read:saving ) the test.His knock of 137 lasted 643 minutes and 436 balls, 93 minutes and 56 balls than his pulsating 201 in front of an adoring crowd at the Feroz Shah Kotla against Australia last year.

on Day 4,Gambhir built on his 14 runs from the previous day.survived a couple of lbw appeals and a big shout for a catch when a Jeetan Patel delivery hit his pad and flew to Jesse Ryder at short leg. He went on to bring up his 11th Test 50 with his eighth boundary of the innings a short time later. He was on 60 by lunch and Dravid, who resumed on 11, had inched his way to 34. Dravid reached his 56th Test half-century with an off drive that earned him two runs off Daniel Vettori a couple of overs before drinks in the afternoon. His fifty took 180 balls and included only four fours and one six.

The next over Gambhir, who was on 73 at the time, gave Patel a caught and bowled chance, but the ball flew just out of reach of the spinner's outstretched hand. Then in the over after drinks Franklin wasted another run out opportunity when he opted to throw to the non-striker's end instead of to the wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum. But the partnership was eventually broken when a Vettori delivery flicked off Dravid's pad and Jamie How took a diving catch at short leg. The batsman was stunned by the umpire Ian Gould's decision and replays showed that the ball went nowhere near his bat or gloves. It brought to an end a 63 over, 133-run partnership for the second wicket in which Dravid faced 220 balls in four hours for his 62.

Gambhir and Tendulkar then survived the remaining 7.4 overs to tea to leave India trailing by 134 runs at 180 for two. Gambhir hit his 14th boundary to bring up his 265-ball 100. The pair then carried on with their patient work to see India through to the close.

Day 5 show Gambhir make 137 runs before departing,by which India had sealed the game.After Gambhir's wicket,After the fatigued Gambhir had departed, New Zealand's bowlers, undoubtedly tired after toiling for three consecutive days on a flat pitch, were attacked by Yuvraj and Laxman after tea. In all, the pair added 120 runs in 122 minutes, and allowed Yuvraj, who up to that point had a wretched match with two dropped catches and a duck, to build some confidence ahead of the Third Test with a breezy unbeaten half-century. At the other end, VVS Laxman, who often appears to lack concentration when playing against teams other than Australia, made a polished 124 not out to end the match with exactly 200 runs in seven hours of batting.

 In proving his ability to adapt to the situation, albeit in favourable batting conditions, Gambhir has exhibited that he can be a world-class batting spearhead for the next decade.he continues to be the most promising younster and the most valuable jewel  in the crown of India Team.

Way to go, Gambhir.