- Provided a flexible option at the top in ODI’s:
After a stunning run in the ICC World T20, Gambhir was soon called up to the ODI side. In India’s first ever ODI series triumph in Australia since the 1985 World Series victory, Gambhir again played a pivotal rule. In the February- March 2008 CB series in Australia, Gambhir once again displayed his class as he scored two tons. With Sachin Tendulkar playing occasionally, Gambhir opened alongside Virender Sehwag and did wonders.
Once Tendulkar was in the side, Gambhir moved down to 3 and continued his phenomenal run. That is evident as his stats at number 3 are as impressive as his numbers at the top. A batting average of 42.09 at number 3 meant that he was very good in the middle overs against the spinners and ensured that the lower middle order had a solid foundation to explode from the word go. The opener time and again was successful in countering the opposing spinners, and setting a rock-solid base for the finishers to take over.