The Mahi-Gauti partnership that never received limelight,yet was one of a kind-
Each and every Indian cricket fan is well aware of the unforgettable partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Finals of the ICC CWC 2011. The duo shared a 109 run partnership,of 118 balls,to pull India out of trouble,and pull them closer to a win.
But not many might remember,that just 2 years prior to this,this very duo had flattened an even stronger Sri Lankan side,in the 4th ODI of a bilateral series,held in Colombo,in 2009.
Back then,Sri Lanka had a Sanath Jayasuriya. He was a three in one cricketer- a blasting opening batter,a brilliant spinner,and an equally agile fielder. His retirement weakened the opening spot of SL definitely,as Upul Tharanga,who opened in the 2011 CWC was never in his ranks.
Whatever,coming back to the match- India skipper Dhoni won the toss,and elected to bat first,on a sporty wicket.
Gautam Gambhir walked out to bat,with Virender Sehwag,his fellow opener.
Gambhir had a huge point to prove. He had had a stupendous year in 2008,where he had scored tons and tons of ODI runs,but had failed miserably against Sri Lanka,repeatedly struggling against their spinners.
So,he was determined to assert his importance.
Whatever,at a team score of 14,Nuwan Kulasekhara dismissed Sehwag,who was seen struggling with his timing,at a score of 5.
Out walked India skipper Dhoni,at no.3,which wasn’t his actual position.
And then,the hammering started.
Gautam Gambhir ferociously attacked the pace quartet of Nuwan,Fernando,Mathews and F. Maharoof,while Dhoni mercilessly took on poor M. Muralitharan,as the duo simply ran a riot against the strong SL line-up.
- Together,they put up 188 runs for the 2nd wicket,of just 184 balls.
- They brought up their 50 run partnership,of 52 balls.
- Gautam Gambhir clobbered a 101m massive 6,over long-on,against Angelo Mathews,to get to his 50 in style,and also bring up the 100 run-partneship between the duo,of exactly 100 balls.
Dhoni was definitely the aggressor of the two,while Gambhir was happy to play the role of a sheet anchor.
Finally,when Dhoni was on 94,of 97 balls,he decided to attack Sanath Jayasuriya,over long-on,only to find the tall Dilhara Fernando.
He missed out on a well-deserved century.
But Gambhir decided to avenge his loss.
He was on 97,of 111 balls.
He brought up his 6th ODI hundred,of 112 balls,with a fine 4 through covers.
After this,it was simple carnage for Gambhir,who finally made 150 of 147 balls,with 14 well timed fours,and a huge 6.
Thus,Gambhir became the first visiting batsman ever,to score 150 or more on Sri Lankan soil.
A memorable partnership of 188 runs,paved way for a gigantic total of 332 for India,which SL failed to chase.
Dhoni and Gambhir,a winning duo.✌