Gautam Gambhir holds the key to India’s success

With a maximum of 90 overs left in India's first Test against Sri Lanka, one of the three possible results u2013 an India victory u2013 has faded away.

Gautam Gambhir holds the key to India's success

With a maximum of 90 overs left in India's first Test against Sri Lanka, one of the three possible results u2013 an India victory u2013 has faded away. But if India have to avoid their first defeat on the home soil against their neighbours, their batsmen will have to apply themselves against a good bowling attack today.

And for that to happen, a Delhi southpaw holds the key. If Gautam, who finished the penultimate day at 74 not out off 120 balls, does not replicate the way he applied himself in Napier almost eight months ago against New Zealand, India's situation could well be Gambhir by the time stumps are drawn.

Here at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, with India still 144 adrift of Sri Lanka's 760 for seven declared u2013 the highest-ever Test score on Indian soil with eight wickets in hand, it will be imperative for Gambhir to be at the crease at least for the first half of the day's play.

Coach Gary Kirsten certainly believed that Gambhir was the right guy to be in such a situation. "We know what he is capable of and he has proven that. Rahul (Dravid) and he saved us the Test in Napier. It is about playing to the situation. Bottom line is we need to bat for 80 per cent of the day," Kirsten said.

But if Gambhir and any of his senior colleagues in the middle order play a shot like Virender Sehwag played yesterday, then India could well find themselves in a deep hole.

Sehwag, known for his aggressive batting, had survived three clear chances in the 15 overs that he batted alongside Gambhir before tea. And in the first over after the break, Sehwag attempted a horrific heave against the turn off Rangana Herath and holed out to Angelo Mathews at mid-on.

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