Gambhir serves timely reminder with a fine century against Australia

Out-of-favour opener and India ‘A’ captain Gautam Gambhir served a timely reminder to the national selectors with a disciplined century against the touring Australians at the India Cement Limited Guru Nanak College Ground in Chennai on Saturday.

File Photo of Gautam Gambhir

The southpaw — who was omitted for the first two Test matches against Australia and was replaced by fellow Delhi mate Shikhar Dhawan — along with Jiwanjot Singh exercised caution against the Australian new ball operators, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle, as only twelve runs came off the first ten overs.

The left-right hand combination of Gambhir and Jiwanjot opened up once the spinners were introduced. Gambhir, as usual, showed who is the boss against the Australian spin trio of Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty and Ashton Agar.

The pair exuded a nice blend of caution and aggression even as the Australians had to wait until the 25th over to effect their breakthrough. Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty showed the pavilion way to Jiwanjot having him pouched by Shane Watson for 24 at his team’s score on 67.

The 22-year-old Patiala boy played the second fiddle role to Gambhir to a nicety and looked good for more before he perished. Jiwanjot faced 72 balls for his 24 and banged four boundaries during his stay at the crease.

Gambhir was joined by Rohit Sharma, who was desperately looking to make a big impression ahead of the Australia Test series.

Once again the left-right hand combo seemed to unsettle the Aussie bowlers.

The pair brought the Australian bowlers on their feet with a sizzling 128-run second wicket partnership. Both kept milking the ones and twos and never missed out on any opportunity to make the most of the loose deliveries.

Gambhir soon arrived at his century and promised much to convert it into a big one before Australia’s Portugal-born seamer Moises Henriques induced an edge from the India ‘A’ captain and was snapped up at first slip by Shane Watson for 112. His 112 came off 162 balls and was laced with thirteen fours and three sixes.

Henriques has been the in-form bowler for Australia on the Indian tour, having bagged an impressive four-wicket haul in the opening warm-up game against the Board President’s XI.

Rohit Sharma took charge after the exit of Gambhir and looked at his best scoring a fine 77 and was associated in an useful 77-run third wicket stand with Manoj Tiwary before he fell to Doherty.

Abhishek Nayar departed for 4 after gifting Doherty his third scalp of the day.

At stumps, Tiwary and wicketkeeper batsman Muralidharen Gautam were batting at 77 and 34, respectively.

India ‘A’ motored along to 338 for 4 at stumps on day one.

Australia are going into the match without regular captain Michael Clarke and David Warner. Shane Watson is leading the visitors.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade led the Aussies in the opening warm-up tie against the Board President’s XI.