Gautam Gambhir speaks to the media after guiding Delhi to the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy Final

Gautam Gambhir’s gritty hundred against Bengal ensured that Delhi made it to the final of the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy final. Delhi ultimately got the better off Bengal with a brilliant all round performance, with Navdeep Saini shining with the ball, and bundling Bengal out for a meagre 86 in their second innings.

Gambhir spoke to the media after the emphatic win, reminiscing about his good old days with the Indian national side.

When asked about his favourite knock, Gambhir picked his 2009 Napier knock as his finest, as the conditions there posed a lot of questions for the batsmen. Gambhir had applied himself brilliantly in the game, batting for almost 3 days in order to ensure a draw for India.

“One moment I will always cherish is the Napier Test against New Zealand in 2009. I have been a traditionalist. Napier is always close to my heart. My most memorable knock was Napier. Never imagined that I could have batted for 60 hours,” Gambhir told NDTV.

Gambhir conceded that he had never really wanted to become like any legendary batsman, and wanted to approach the game in his very own way. Batting with Rahul Dravid though, brought the best out of him, as his sense of calmness helped him concentrate better on the field.

“My best came out with Rahul Dravid as he always gave me the sense of calmness, sense of patience. Looking at him at the non-striker’s end, made me more patient which helps in the Test format. Assurity is important at the Test level and that’s what Rahul gave me,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir still feels that Test cricket is the best format, as it tests a cricketer in all possible ways, presenting him with different situations in one game itself.

“I prefer Test cricket than ODIs and T20s as it makes you a better player. I never idolised anyone, always had the feeling of playing for India. Never had this thing that I wanted to bat with someone,” Gambhir added.

Finally, Gambhir was asked about who the biggest prankster in the Indian team was, and he ended up rating Harbhajan a notch higher than Yuvraj Singh.

“Bhajji was the biggest prankster. No doubt. He was a rockstar. If you are in his company… You won’t get bored. Not Yuvraj or anyone, he is the best guy to have in the dressing room,” Gambhir concluded.