India v/s New Zealand: It's time to see Gauti 2.0

Left-handed batsmen generally have something that appeals to cricket lovers. May be, it's their stylish way of batting, the flow and the gracefulness they exude. Be it David Gower, Brian Lara, Vinod Kambli, Sourav Ganguly, Saeed Anwar and many more. The world would stop to watch them bat.

But the same cannot be said about Gautam Gambhir. He doesn't showcase lazy elegance , nor is he stylish, or displays the kind of flair that other southpaws do.

However, there are quite a few things that make him special. It is the grit, the guts, the gumption and the stubbornness. Or else how could someone, who was dropped like a hot potato after a miserable England tour in 2014, could make a return to the Indian team after two years.

Gambhir would remember those two games in Manchester (4 & 18) and Kensington Oval, London (0 & 3) where he was criticised for his inability to handle England' seamer and looked novice

Then, many predicted it as the end of the road for the man from Delhi. His body language, too, suggested the same. The shoulders drooped, the confidence wasn't on display while his bread and butter shot – the usual nudges to the third man – ended up as catches to slip cordon. Many said it was all over.

For a period, Gambhir, too, might have thought along the same lines His old teammates weren't there any more. His opening partner Virender Sehwag with whom he dominated the best bowling attacks was contemplating retirement.

However, Gambhir, known to give back and hard, had given up inside. Instead, thought of replying to critics.

He did not set the Ranji Trophy on fire with big scores, but showed in the next two Indian Premier League seasons that he still has it in him to play top flight cricket with some important knocks and his leadership skills. Though, Kolkata Knight Riders did not make the final, they entered the play offs in 2016 after winning it in 2014.

But the turning point for his comeback to the Indian squad came during the Duleep Trophy.

Gambhir wasn't even in the scheme of things till he slammed four half centuries 77, 90, 59 and 94 playing with a pink ball in Day-Night games that brought him back in the selection radar.

It was not just the scores that helped him return. One could see glimpses of old Gambhir his determination, steeliness et al. The strokemaking looked fabulous, and the nudges perfectly went through the gaps.

The platform is set for his return. With KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan injured, Gambhir will be an automatic choice to partner Murali Vijay in the Indore Test starting Friday. And he won't throw this opportunity easily.

Not just that, he has the support of his team management too.

"I think Gautam Gambhir is a quality player. What he has done really for himself, for the time he was out of the Indian team he kept on performing for his franchise and state side. When he got an opportunity in the Duleep Trophy, he was one of the top scorers there. That too against the pink ball which certain batsmen found that was difficult to pick. Yes, he ticked all boxes," said India batting coach Sanjay Bangar on Gambhir's return.

He almost confirmed that Gambhir's place in the XI fixed. "Injury to KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan made sure that there is a place for Gambhir. He is something of a quality performer and has proven record against spin bowling. And the number of Test matches, we are going to play in India, he becomes an important player right at the top of the order," said Bangar, terming Gambhir an important member for the long season ahead.