Though critics assumed that he was more a long-innings player than one suited for the truncated version, Gambhir has done remarkably well in limited-overs and Twenty20 formats as well, the belligerent 150 against Sri Lanka reflecting his inert aggressive trait.

Like most batsmen do, Gambhir too has technical glitches in his batting armour, the chip drive to mid-on being his obvious flaw. He drew upon all his patience and inner strength and resisted the temptation to take on the bowlers during that marathon innings in Napier, thereby slowly but surely grinding the Kiwi bowlers to death.

Nevertheless, it hasn't suppressed his instinct to step out and hit the bowler over the top, though he lives dangerously in these moments of daringness at the crease.