Sport - Cricket

I like to play to my strengths: Gambhir

— File photo

Gambhir.

NEW DELHI: His tenor at the crease does not match his character off the field.

An introvert, his personality is stunningly transformed once he picks up his bat and walks out to the middle.

His gear is impeccable; bat well-groomed, gloves and pads neatly placed in the coffin, shoes always dusted. For Gautam Gambhir, cricket is ‘life’ and batting an elegant form of expressing his passion for the game.

He hates belting the ball.

The silken drive is far more gratifying than a pull, a hook or a cut. “I love to play drives. I get immense satisfaction by just getting into the line and timing the ball than putting force into the shot.

“Of course, there are times when one has to play some crude shots but those are the most forgettable phases of my innings,” says Gambhir so softly one has to strain to catch the words.

On his approach to batting in Twenty20, he follows a simple philosophy. “It is not necessary to go over the top for a six when you can score with a boundary along the ground.

“You can put meat into the shot to hit it along the ground too. I am happy with the way I have been batting. I would rather be consistent than just flashy because that is what international cricket is all about.”

Brought up in a highly competitive cricket environment in Delhi, Gambhir, 26, has always been an attacking batsman and that is one reason why he has emerged one of the most successful batsmen in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

After 12 matches, his aggregate is 504 runs (with 65 fours) at an average of 45.81. A strike rate of 141.97 confirms his supremacy at the crease.

“This format gives me the freedom to play my shots,” Gambhir confesses.

“The Twenty20 format encourages you to play more shots than you would normally and it has worked in my favour. Aggressive batting is my natural style and I have enjoyed every bit of my IPL stints. But honestly I would love to be known as a good Test player.”

Reflecting on the IPL and the fact that he is the only batsman to cross 500 runs (Virender Sehwag is next with 385) has pushed his credentials a notch higher. “I think it has come from my hunger for runs. I had set certain goals for myself and am working hard to achieve them. I want to make as many runs as possible in all forms of the game.

“I keep backing myself, keep reminding myself that I have a lot to achieve and I also make sure that I don’t get complacent. I know that this is the time to grab the opportunities and make my case stronger,” says the dashing left-hander.

For Gambhir, the job is far from over.

He is focused on guiding Delhi Daredevils to the semifinals. “I relish the pressure because it makes me more responsible. My job is to give a good start and what better man than Viru (Virender Sehwag) to motivate. I am looking forward to more opportunities (in this IPL) because I feel, my best is yet to come,” says Gambhir.

The IPL has highlighted quite a few cricketers but none as glowingly as Gambhir. He has rarely earned credit for his consistency but he remains unfazed. “I know my strengths and I like to play to them.”

This is a fact the bowlers in this IPL have already discovered the hard way!

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