Former Indian opener Gautam lauded legendary Sri Lankan spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, during a chat with Star Sports. Labeling him as one of the most formidable bowlers he's ever faced, Gambhir recalled the challenges of deciphering Muralitharan's deliveries, especially in Sri Lankan conditions. Muralitharan, renowned in the cricketing world, boasts of a phenomenal record with 800 Test, 534 ODI, and 13 T20I wickets.
"One of the toughest bowlers I've faced in my career. I've always said that. People thought I played him very well, but I just could not pick him. Even in the IPL, I couldn't pick him. My instinct would just take over," said Gambhir.
"You can't take 800 wickets without having the quality that he does. He's a legend of the game. Facing him in Sri Lanka was the biggest challenge, especially when he was bowling with the Kookaburra ball," he added.
This conversation took place in the backdrop of India's Super-4 clash against Sri Lanka in Colombo, stirring memories of the epic 2011 Cricket World Cup final at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. In that nail-biting match, despite a daunting target of 274 and the early loss of key players like Sehwag and Tendulkar, Gambhir's pivotal innings of 97 alongside partnerships with Kohli and Dhoni ensured India remained in the chase.
However, the 2011 World Cup final will forever be etched in history due to the valiant efforts of then-captain MS Dhoni. Taking a strategic call, Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh, delivering what many consider the innings of his life. With a composed score of 91 from 79 balls, he not only steadied India's ship but shifted the momentum towards a thrilling victory.
The climax of this cricketing epic was Dhoni's unforgettable "helicopter shot" in the 49th over, dispatching Nuwan Kulasekara's delivery over the boundary for a spectacular six. That iconic shot secured India's six-wicket triumph, immortalizing the moment in the annals of cricket and the hearts of its enthusiasts.
In summary, as Gambhir revisits challenges of the past and pays homage to legends like Muralitharan, fans are reminded of the golden era of cricket, filled with battles, strategies, and moments that define the spirit of the game.
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