97 VS Sri Lanka in Mumbai, 2011 ICC World Cup Final
This will stand as one of the very best innings hit by an Indian batsman under pressure. The stage could not have been bigger than a World Cup final. India was chasing a competitive target of 275 in 50 overs and had lost two of their premier batsman Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar in quick succession. The Indian supporters were had given up hope but the southpaw from Delhi along with another Delhi lad Virat Kohli started resurrecting the innings.
He played some attacking shots and stepped down the track on a consistent basis. He played the spinners outstandingly and kept on rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking. After Kohli’s dismissal, the southpaw started building yet another partnership with captain Dhoni and the duo looked to take them over the line. The southpaw fell 3 runs short of a well deserved century when he came dancing down the track to Thisara Perera and ended up getting castled. Though Dhoni got the Man of the Match Award for an unbeaten innings Gambhir’s contribution cannot be forgotten.