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Journalism of Courage
His consistency notwithstanding,a section of the Indian cricketing fraternity was always sceptical about his ability to play a long innings under pressure in Test cricket. And while the national selectors werent really concerned,they were waiting for a special knock that would serve to silence his critics.
Gautam has come of age. He has now become a complete batsman, chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth told The Indian Express. For the last couple of years he has been pretty consistent. But this Test saw him raise his game several notches, he added.
According to Srikkanth,the most significant aspect about Gambhirs batting was the way he read the situation and played accordingly. I dont think he has made any technical adjustments. But now he watches the ball more closely and till the end. He has tightened his off-side game…especially leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. His judgement as far as the corridor of uncertainty goes is a lot better, Srikkanth said.
The change was also just a matter of time,according to Srikkanth. You dont grow into a job overnight. Everybody matures with time. He was always a very capable strokeplayer,but now he has proved that he can bury his head into the ground and guide the team to safety. He is a great player in the making.
Indias opening problems seem to have been sorted,with Virender Sehwag bustling along at the other end. He (Sehwag) might not have had a very good Test in Napier,but make no mistake,over the years he has contributed immensely to help Gautam develop his game. Together,they are the best opening combination in world cricket at the moment, Srikkanth said.
Heartened by Indias performance in the second Test,the former India captain said that the draw in Napier was as good as a win.
You can say that the wicket was easy and the bowling was not extraordinary. Still,it was an uphill task saving the Test after following-on. The boys had to play out of their skins to save the match,and they made it seem easy. It was batting at its very best, Srikkanth said.
