Gambhir's unbeaten 73 throws open the field

Hits an unbeaten 79 at No.3 even as Wasim Jaffer fails again on Friday

The skies cleared out in Durban on Friday. However, the clouds of uncertainty over the opening slot in the second Test got murkier as Gautam Gambhir put the powers-that-be deeper in a quandary.

The opener, batting at No.3 here, made a strong case for himself with an unbeaten 79 on the first day of a two-day practice match against the KwaZulu-Natal Invitational XI. He only got off the field, visibly reluctant, when VRV Singh was sent out to bring him back to make way for VVS Laxman. Gambhir had, by that time, clocked close to four hours in the middle. Had Gambhir been disappointed at having to retire, few would blame him.

Not only was this his first ‘match’ on tour, he was probably eying a century, a morale booster against any opposition (and it has to be said: no one would term this attack as even mildly threatening) and a statement that few selection committees can ignore.

What would have helped his cause is that the batsman at the other end for the most part was skipper Rahul Dravid, who witnessed the young man’s growing confidence in a 101-ball innings that included eight boundaries and two sixes, one an imperious pull over long on.  The incumbent opener Wasim Jaffer, on the other hand, didn’t do himself any favours after play started half-an-hour late due to damp spots on the ground (Durban has been wet over the last few days, say locals).

At a time when much debate is surrounding his position in the side, the talented right-hander’s uncertain form unfortunately continued. He only lasted 19 minutes for yet another insignificant (2) score on this tour. His opening partner Virender Sehwag, meanwhile, did his usual thing — pull here, cut there, loft here — before departing for 40.

 The outcome of this match was never going to be of any importance for the touring party. It was significant only for those looking for form or a place in the side.  Gambhir, by that token, will look at the next day with new hope. Jaffer, on the other hand, has only the team management’s faith to fall back on.

Brief Scores

India (1st innings) 271 for 6 in 77 ovs (Gambhir 79 n.o, S Ganguly 41 n.o, V Sehwag 40 n.o; R Frylinck 2/44) vs KwaZulu-Natal XI