Test Cricket is a real test of a player's skills, temperament and mental strength. This has been displayed aptly by Gambhir and Dravid. The charm of test cricket doesn't lie only in the end result but in the process and the way it is played.Consider the situation of Day 4 morning of Napier test.
India was following-on with 267 runs deficit and Captain (Sehwag) was already out in the pavilion
Yuvraj and Karthik were not in form
180 overs still to be played
Newzealand players charged up after having 3 good days behind them and the opportunity to level the series 1-1
All the commentators & critics were ready to write this test off as if India has already lost it. With such a psychological pressure, this duo played an innings which, without going into a winning cause, has made this match quite a memorable one.
With Dravid already played more than 3 hours in the first innings played another brilliant inning which spanned more than 4 hours but the most remarkable display of character came from Gambhir who is known for his hitting and the instinct of playing strokes. Gambhir challenged himself and stood his ground for more than 11 hours and showed that with determination and the zeal to achieve something one can do wonders. This is one of the longest Innings played by an Indian and deserves to be placed alongside Laxman's innings of 281 against Australia in Eden Gardens.
For Gambhir, you have won another diehard fan of yours amongst millions of others.
Hats Off!!
