Gautam Gambhir was the top scorer for India in two world finals: 75 against Pakistan at the 2007 World T20 and 97 against Sri Lanka at the 2011 World Cup. A stubborn left-handed opener from Delhi, he was the ICC’s Test Player of the Year in 2009, captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles, and in July 2024 became head coach of the Indian men’s team.
Name: Gautam Gambhir | Born: 14 October 1981, New Delhi | Sport: Cricket | Position: Left-handed opening batter
Delhi runs and a long apprenticeship
Gambhir learned his cricket in Delhi and was one of the leading batters in domestic cricket for several seasons before India found a regular place for him. He made his one-day debut against Bangladesh on 11 April 2003 and his Test debut against Australia in Mumbai on 3 November 2004. With Virender Sehwag established at one end and plenty of competition for the other opening spot, he spent long spells out of the side in the following years and had to keep scoring heavily for Delhi to get back in.
The 2007 World T20 final
His breakthrough on the world stage came in South Africa in September 2007. In the final of the first World T20, against Pakistan in Johannesburg, Gambhir made 75 from 54 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Wickets fell regularly around him, and his innings was the backbone of India’s total. India defended it and won by five runs.
A remarkable run in Tests
Gambhir’s best Test cricket came between 2008 and 2010, when he and Sehwag were one of the most successful opening pairs in the world. In New Zealand in March 2009, India were made to follow on in the second Test at Napier. Gambhir batted for 643 minutes and faced 436 balls for 137, and India saved the match. They went on to win the series, their first in New Zealand for more than 40 years.
During this period he scored hundreds in five consecutive Tests, the only Indian to have done so, and passed 50 in 11 Tests in a row. The ICC named him its Test Player of the Year for 2009. His career finished with 4,154 runs in 58 Tests at an average of 41.95, with nine hundreds.
The 2011 World Cup final
In the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India lost Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early while chasing 275 against Sri Lanka. Gambhir, dropped on 30, added 83 with Virat Kohli and 109 with MS Dhoni and made 97 from 122 balls before he was bowled trying to reach his hundred. Dhoni finished the job and India won their first World Cup since 1983. Gambhir’s one-day career ended with 5,238 runs in 147 matches and 11 hundreds, the highest of them an unbeaten 150 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in 2009.
Kolkata captain
Gambhir began his Indian Premier League career with Delhi Daredevils and moved to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011. As captain he turned a side that had struggled into champions, winning the IPL in 2012 and again in 2014. He returned to Delhi for the 2018 season and retired from all cricket on 3 December 2018 after a final Ranji Trophy match for Delhi.
Parliament and the head coach’s job
In 2019 Gambhir was elected to the Lok Sabha from East Delhi and served until June 2024. He returned to cricket as a mentor, first at Lucknow Super Giants and then back at Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the IPL in 2024. On 9 July 2024 the BCCI appointed him head coach of the Indian men’s team in succession to Rahul Dravid. India won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 under his coaching.
Career record and honours
- Tests: 58 matches, 4,154 runs, average 41.95, 9 hundreds, highest score 206
- One-day internationals: 147 matches, 5,238 runs, 11 hundreds, highest score 150 not out
- T20 internationals: 37 matches, 932 runs
- Top scorer in the 2007 World T20 final (75) and the 2011 World Cup final (97)
- Hundreds in five consecutive Tests, an Indian record
- ICC Test Player of the Year: 2009
- IPL-winning captain with Kolkata Knight Riders: 2012 and 2014; mentor of the 2024 champions
- Arjuna Award winner
- Padma Shri: 2019
- India men’s head coach from July 2024; ICC Champions Trophy winner as coach, 2025
