Grown-up 145;Gauti146; back for more

Such is Gautam Gambhir8217;s claim to the divine right of scoring runs in Bangladesh that today he threatened to go on...

Such is Gautam Gambhir8217;s claim to the divine right of scoring runs in Bangladesh that today he threatened to go on, even after India had pocketed the match. The stylish left-hander ran two after whirling one across the line on the first ball of the 36th over, and looked like he could have gone on batting for hours afterwards, given half a chance. His whirlwind century 107 off 101 was cut short by the small matter of India having wrapped up the match.

The fielding side could be forgiven the way they stayed rooted after India crossed 223 8212; the word 8216;dazed8217; would suffice 8212; but it was an amusing end to the game since Gambhir himself didn8217;t realise that his job was well and truly done.

After a static, silent moment of realisation, the world resumed its passage in time, and there were handshakes galore as India marched into the final against Pakistan on the back of two comprehensive triumphs.

Gambhir over-shadowed both the early blitz of bigger stuntman Sehwag, and the brave counter-attack of local batter Raqibul Hasan, who with his 89 notched the highest ODI score by a Bangladeshi against India. In the course of his century 8212; the second against Bangladesh he also has two half-centuries in this country 8212; Gambhir continued his scoring streak here, five years after he debuted at Dhaka.

Changed man

Much has changed in the past half a decade. Gambhir first arrived here a puny batter, who had been rewarded for his hefty Ranji Trophy showings as the seniors rested post the 2003 World Cup. Bangladesh has always offered a good testing ground for players punching above their weight on the domestic fields, but not many manage to linger on to last the global grind, and come back and capitalise.

He returned again after the 2007 Cup, this time having beaten back his confidence crisis to score an imposing 100 in what would become his second backyard. Gambhir8217;s only Test century is also credited to Chittagong. But he arrived here for the tri-series as a star in his own right after a stupendous T20 World Cup, followed by a great ODI series in Australia and an even more fruitful IPL.

An innings 8212; replete with chances 8212; against Pakistan saw Sehwag nose ahead, though the two put on 155 before they were separated. Against Bangladesh, the 26-year-old was determined to make his stay count. Three boundaries off Farhad Reza in the eighth over gave his innings the impetus, and later Mahmadullah was dispatched for as many, Gambhir using his feet deftly against the spinners.

Average swells

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A single to cover-point gave him the 50, though he had earmarked that area and thereabouts to hit the bigger shots. He sprinted to another, crossing Yuvraj Singh 8212; both celebrating his 100 midway through the run 8212; and Gambhir had pushed his average on Bangla soil to 77 with an impressive strike-rate of over 90. Records show that Gambhir8217;s good averages against sides also run parallel to faster scoring-rates, and with over 400 runs here, Bangladesh ranks as his best haunt.

Captain Dhoni later praised his prolific opener, commending his hunger for runs. 8220;I8217;ve always regarded him highly ever since we went on our 8216;A8217; tour to Zimbabwe. He might have scored one day, but he8217;ll still want more the next time,8221; Dhoni said. It all began here for 8216;Gauti8217;, and if his captain8217;s reading is correct there are some ominous signs for Pakistan.