Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, and mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL team silenced the Bengaluru crowd with a thrilling 1-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Thursday night.
Gautam Gambhir‘s team was considered an underdog against the star-studded RCB, but the young players led by captain Sanju Samson and mentored by Gambhir, played with grit and determination to clinch the victory. Gambhir, who is known for his leadership skills and cool demeanor, was instrumental in guiding the team to victory.
The Match
The match started with RCB winning the toss and electing to bat first. The team, led by Virat Kohli, got off to a good start with Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli himself scoring half-centuries. However, the middle order collapsed, and RCB could only manage to score 156 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, LSG got off to a shaky start, losing two early wickets. However, Samson and Rishabh Pant steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership. Pant, who has been in excellent form this season, continued his good run, scoring a crucial half-century.
But RCB’s bowlers fought back, taking wickets at regular intervals. With five overs to go, LSG needed 45 runs to win. Gautam Gambhir, who was watching from the dugout, looked tense but composed. He had a word with Samson and advised him to take the game deep.
Gambhir’s Masterstroke – LSG Win Over RCB
With two overs to go, LSG needed 20 runs to win. Samson was batting on 45, and the last recognized batsman, Rahul Tewatia, was on strike. Kohli brought back his premier bowler, Yuzvendra Chahal, to bowl the penultimate over.
Chahal started with a dot ball, but Tewatia smashed the second ball for a six-over long-off. The next ball was a dot, but Tewatia hit another six over deep mid-wicket. With LSG needing only two runs to win off the last over, Gautam Gambhir walked up to Samson and whispered something in his ear.
The final over was bowled by Harshal Patel, who had been RCB’s best bowler in the match. Samson took a single off the first ball, and Tewatia was back on strike. Patel bowled a yorker, but Tewatia dug it out and ran a quick single. With LSG needing one run to win off three balls, the tension in the stadium was palpable.
Patel bowled a slower ball, but Tewatia missed it completely. The ball hit the pads and rolled toward the offside. Tewatia set off for a run, but Samson sent him back. The ball had stopped just in front of the wicket-keeper, and AB de Villiers had a chance to run Tewatia out. However, Tewatia dived full length and made his ground just in time.
The crowd was on its feet, cheering wildly. Gautam Gambhir, who was sitting in the dugout, looked calm but focused. With one run needed off two balls, he signaled to Samson to finish the game.
Patel bowled a full toss, and Samson smashed it over mid-wicket for a six. The ball sailed over the boundary, and the LSG players ran toward the middle to celebrate. Gambhir got up from his seat and walked toward the middle.
Gautam Gambhir’s ‘Finger on Lips’ Gesture
The LSG mentor made the ‘finger on the lips’ gesture towards the Bengaluru crowd, which has been making rounds on social media. Gautam Gambhir has been a man of few words, and ever fewer expressions for the better part of IPL 2023. Still, the roller coaster of emotions on Monday night at the M Chinnaswamy stadium drew an intense reaction from him.
Cricket Experience
Gambhir made his debut for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy in the 1999-2000 season. In the same year, he was selected for the India Under-19 team, where he played a crucial role in India’s success in the World Cup. Gambhir’s performances in the Under-19 World Cup caught the attention of the selectors, and he was soon called up to the Indian team.
Test Debut
Gautam Gambhir made his Test debut against Australia in 2004. However, he did not have a great start to his Test career as he managed to score only 4 runs in his first innings. Gambhir was dropped from the team after his poor performance in the Test series against Australia. However, Gambhir did not give up and continued to work hard on his game.
ODI Career
Gambhir’s breakthrough came in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, where he played a crucial role in India’s victory. Gambhir scored 75 runs in the final against Pakistan, which helped India lift the trophy. Gambhir’s performances in the tournament earned him a place in the Indian ODI team. Gambhir went on to become a regular member of the Indian ODI team and played a crucial role in India’s victory in the 2011 World Cup.
Test Comeback
Gambhir made a comeback to the Test team in 2008 and established himself as a regular opener. Gambhir formed a formidable opening partnership with Virender Sehwag and was one of the main reasons for India’s success in Test cricket. Gambhir scored his first Test century against Bangladesh in 2007 and went on to score 9 more centuries in Test cricket.
IPL Career
Gautam Gambhir’s IPL career started in 2008 when he was bought by the Delhi Daredevils. Gambhir played for the Daredevils for three seasons before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011. Gambhir was appointed as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, and under his captaincy, the team won the IPL in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir was also the leading run-scorer for Kolkata Knight Riders in both seasons.
Retirement
Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in December 2018. Gambhir’s last match was a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi against Andhra Pradesh. Gambhir scored 112 runs in his last innings, which was his 43rd century in first-class cricket.
