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India vs New Zealand: Gautam Gambhir expresses delight on becoming part of Indian team; thanks BCCI

Gambhir who was named as replacement for the injured KL Rahul, in the squad for the second and third Test against the Black Caps, was eager to walk out on the field at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

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Gautam Gambhir was named as replacement to KL Rahul © Getty Images
Gautam Gambhir was named as replacement for KL Rahul © Getty Images

India’s left-hand opener Gautam Gambhir, on Tuesday expressed his excitement and delight on becoming a part of the Indian Cricket Team, for the three-Test series against New Zealand. Gambhir who was named as replacement for the injured KL Rahul, in the squad for the second and third Test against the Black Caps, was eager to walk out on the field at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He was overlooked when the Indian team’s squad was named for the Test series, despite some fantastic performances with the bat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 and also in the Duleep Trophy 2016-17, that was played in Greater Noida with the Pink ball. Gambhir also led his team, India Blue to a win in the final.

 

 

Rahul’s right hamstring injury proved to be a blessing in disguise for Gambhir who also underwent a fitness test, on Tuesday at National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. Gambhir though, will face competition from Shikhar Dhawan for a place in the Indian top-order. With Murali Vijay a certainty, one of Dhawan or Gambhir will get a place in the team for the second Test. READ: India vs New Zealand: Gautam Gambhir, Jayant Yadav in; KL Rahul, Ishant Sharma out

Gambhir has played in 56 Tests for India and has scored 4,046 runs at an average of 42.58. He has nine hundreds and 21 half-centuries to his name. His highest is 206. He last played a Test against England in 2014, at the Oval, when India was on a tour, under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Apart from Gambhir, Jayant Yadav too has been named as replacement in the squad for Ishant Sharma who still ahs not recovered from Chikungunya. India will play in the second Test against New Zealand from September 30.

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