CEDA reviews role of reforms in diversification of economy and surge in non-oil revenues    79 hospitality facilities in Makkah and Madinah face penalties for closure order violations    Saudi Arabia hosts large-scale iftar banquets in Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia    Saudi Arabia records 23,865 violations in nationwide residency and labor law inspections    S&P upgrades Saudi Arabia's credit rating to A+    Trump orders 'decisive' military action against Houthis in Yemen    US Senate passes Republican spending bill to avert government shutdown    Zelenskyy says territorial control key to peace talks, rejects recognition of occupied regions    Pakistan says train hijacking death toll rises to 30, accuses India and Afghanistan of supporting militants    Al Nassr climbs to third with dominant win over Al Khaleej, Al Qadsiah slips after loss to Damac    Power bank likely caused South Korea plane fire, investigators say    Makkah Lanterns Festival returns for the eighth year as part of Ramadan activities    Crown Prince receives Yazeed Al-Rajhi after historic Dakar Rally 2025 victory    SR17 million fines slapped on 16 individuals and companies convicted of violating Capital Market Law    Saleh Al-Shehri's late penalty rescues Al Ittihad against Al Riyadh    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Man lives for 100 days with titanium heart in successful new trial    Argentinian court begins trial of seven healthcare professionals over Maradona's death    Singer Wheesung who wooed Korea with his ballads, found dead at 43    Prince Frederik of Luxembourg dies from rare disease    Real-life shipwreck story wins major book award    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Gambhir ton assures India series victory
By Greg Stutchbury
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 06 - 04 - 2009

Gautam Gambhir virtually ensured India would win its first Test series in New Zealand since 1968 when he guided his side to an imposing 531-run lead at the close of play on the third day of the third Test on Sunday.
Gambhir, who scored 137 in the second innings of the drawn second Test in Napier, moved from 28 at the start of play at the Basin Reserve to 167 after tea before he was trapped in front by Iain O'Brien after New Zealand had taken the second new ball.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was 16 not out while Yuvraj Singh was on 15 with India 349 for five when bad light stopped play 8.1 overs early. New Zealand reverted back from daylight saving time earlier on Sunday.
India, which lead the series 1-0 after winning the first match in Hamilton by 10 wickets, had taken a 182-run lead on Saturday when it bowled the host out for 197 in reply to its first innings of 379.
Gambhir has scored 445 runs in the three-match series, at an average of 89. He batted for 642 minutes in the second innings of the second Test at McLean Park to ensure India drew the match after following on more than 300 runs behind.
Since India's home series against Australia last October, the 27-year-old has scored 1,269 runs in eight matches at an average of 84.6, including a double century, four centuries and four half centuries.
Despite his brilliant performance, Gambhir hung his head in frustration as he trudged from the field after being dismissed. “I thought it would be very special if I could get a double hundred in New Zealand - overseas,” he said afterwards. “I was very disappointed, I wanted to get a double hundred.”
Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman were the other wickets to fall on Sunday, almost certainly ending an era for New Zealand-based Indian fans.
India is not due back in New Zealand until after 2012 and it is unlikely the 36-year-old Dravid, 35-year-old Tendulkar or 34-year-old Laxman will return.
Dravid (60) and Tendulkar (nine) were both dismissed in the afternoon session, while Laxman was bowled by O'Brien for 61 after tea. All were warmly applauded by a large contingent of Indian fans in the crowd as they left the pitch.
Dravid, who had resumed after lunch on 57, was dismissed shortly after the break thanks to a brilliant piece of anticipation by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.
Having watched Dravid sweep a Daniel Vettori delivery fine for two runs, McCullum moved quickly down the legside when the right hander repeated the shot two balls later to take a sharp catch. Tendulkar smashed Vettori for a six over long-off, but did not last much longer when Ross Taylor at first slip produced a superb reflex catch low down to his right to send the Indian great back to the dressing room for probably the last time in New Zealand.


Clic here to read the story from its source.