2. Played the second-longest Test innings by an Asian batsman:
The second Test match between India and New Zealand in Napier during the 2008-09 series showed the real fighting nature of Gambhir. Replying to New Zealand’s mammoth total of 619 runs, India were asked to follow-on after being dismissed for only 305 runs in their first innings. The Indian team was looking down the barrel on a swinging pitch only to see Gautam Gambhir play one of the best innings of his career to earn India a memorable draw. The southpaw batted for nearly 643 minutes.Opening the innings, the Delhi batsman occupied the crease for nearly 160 overs and scored 137 runs. Legendary Pakistani batsman Hanif Mohammad leads the list with 970 minutes which he spent on the pitch in a Test match against West Indies at Bridgetown in 1958. Gambir’s knock was overall the fifth longest in the second innings in Test cricket.