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Gautam Gambhir: The former India opener, Captain of Kolkata Knight Riders turns 36 today

The Delhi left-hander, captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League was born on 14th October 1981. He has grown in metaphorical stature over the period of time to laud over rivals and contemporaries alike.
Gautam Gambhir was born on 14th October 1981, in New Delhi. His father Deepak Gambhir is a textile businessman, while mother Seema Gambhir is a housewife.Gambhir started playing cricket at the age of 10. He received his schooling from Modern School, New Delhi and graduated from Hindu College, University of Delhi. Selected for the first batch of National Cricket Academy in the year 2000, the left-hander was coached by Sanjay Bharadwaj of Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy in Delhi, and Raju Tandon. (Photo| PTI)
Gautam Gambhir was born on 14th October 1981, in New Delhi. His father Deepak Gambhir is a textile businessman, while mother Seema Gambhir is a housewife.Gambhir started playing cricket at the age of 10. He received his schooling from Modern School, New Delhi and graduated from Hindu College, University of Delhi. Selected for the first batch of National Cricket Academy in the year 2000, the left-hander was coached by Sanjay Bharadwaj of Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy in Delhi, and Raju Tandon. (Photo| PTI)
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Gambhir first came into headlines when he scored two successive first-class double-hundreds in 2002, with one of them coming against the Zimbabwe Team, which visited India that year for two Tests and five ODIs. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in TVS cup tri-series 2003. In his third match, he scored 71 against Bangladesh and became the Man of the Match. His maiden ODI century (103 off 97 balls) came against Sri Lanka at Ahmadabad in 2005. In 2004, he made his Test debut against Australia in the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Mumbai, where he scored 3 and 1 in both the innings. His maiden Test century came against Bangladesh in December 2004 at Chittagong, which India won by an innings and 83 runs. (Photo| PTI)
Gambhir first came into headlines when he scored two successive first-class double-hundreds in 2002, with one of them coming against the Zimbabwe Team, which visited India that year for two Tests and five ODIs. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in TVS cup tri-series 2003. In his third match, he scored 71 against Bangladesh and became the Man of the Match. His maiden ODI century (103 off 97 balls) came against Sri Lanka at Ahmadabad in 2005. In 2004, he made his Test debut against Australia in the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Mumbai, where he scored 3 and 1 in both the innings. His maiden Test century came against Bangladesh in December 2004 at Chittagong, which India won by an innings and 83 runs. (Photo| PTI)
An attacking opening batsman, Gambhir is particularly good against spin bowlers, using his nimble-footwork to good effect. A quick fielder, he's usually stationed close-in or as a sweeper. (Photo | PTI)
An attacking opening batsman, Gambhir is particularly good against spin bowlers, using his nimble-footwork to good effect. A quick fielder, he's usually stationed close-in or as a sweeper. (Photo | PTI)
He started the Indian Premier League T20 with the Delhi franchise but after three seasons, he moved out to Shah Rukh-Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders. He lead the franchise to two IPL titles, in 2012 and 2014, along with playoff spots in 2011, 2016 and 2017. He also led the Purple and gold outfit to the final of now defunct Champions League in 2014. (Photo| PTI)
He started the Indian Premier League T20 with the Delhi franchise but after three seasons, he moved out to Shah Rukh-Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders. He lead the franchise to two IPL titles, in 2012 and 2014, along with playoff spots in 2011, 2016 and 2017. He also led the Purple and gold outfit to the final of now defunct Champions League in 2014. (Photo| PTI)
Despite being a regular member of the Indian ODI team between 2005 and 2007, he was left out of India's 2007 World Cup squad. However, he replied it with a crucial 54-ball 75 knock in the World T20 final against Pakistan that year in South Africa. India won the match by five runs. He was also the highest run-scorer for the MS Dhoni-led outfit in the tournament, registering 227 runs in seven matches. (Photo | PTI)
Despite being a regular member of the Indian ODI team between 2005 and 2007, he was left out of India's 2007 World Cup squad. However, he replied it with a crucial 54-ball 75 knock in the World T20 final against Pakistan that year in South Africa. India won the match by five runs. He was also the highest run-scorer for the MS Dhoni-led outfit in the tournament, registering 227 runs in seven matches. (Photo | PTI)
He was a part of the historic Indian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. His 122-ball knock of 97 against Sri Lanka in the final at Mumbai's Wankhede played a pivotal role, as India lost both in-form openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag within the first six overs, while chasing 275 to win. The Delhi dasher first forged a 83-run partnership with Virat Kohli and then another 109-run one for the fifth wicket, along with skipper MS Dhoni. (Photo | AFP)
He was a part of the historic Indian team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. His 122-ball knock of 97 against Sri Lanka in the final at Mumbai's Wankhede played a pivotal role, as India lost both in-form openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag within the first six overs, while chasing 275 to win. The Delhi dasher first forged a 83-run partnership with Virat Kohli and then another 109-run one for the fifth wicket, along with skipper MS Dhoni. (Photo | AFP)
Gambhir was the second highest run-scorer in the IPL 2008, with 534 runs in 14 games. In the 2011 player auction, he fetched a bid of USD 2.5 million from the Kolkata outfit. The amount made him the fourth highest-paid cricketer in the tournament's history. (Photo| PTI)
Gambhir was the second highest run-scorer in the IPL 2008, with 534 runs in 14 games. In the 2011 player auction, he fetched a bid of USD 2.5 million from the Kolkata outfit. The amount made him the fourth highest-paid cricketer in the tournament's history. (Photo| PTI)
Gambhir is the only Indian and one of four international cricketers to have scored hundreds in five consecutive Test matches. (Photo| PTI)
Gambhir is the only Indian and one of four international cricketers to have scored hundreds in five consecutive Test matches. (Photo| PTI)
Gautam Gambhir
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