New Delhi, May 8: The Orange Cap sat proudly on his head. No other Indian batsman has had such a consistent run as Gautam Gambhir in Twenty20. The format asks for sharp thinking at the crease and with each innings the southpaw has only shown how adept he is with his mind as with his footwork. There were strokes that were played across the line but there was a lot of science behind his assault. The 49-ball 80 was a tribute to what a clear mind can achieve.

When Sehwag was on song early on, Gambhir was content playing the ball around rotating the strike and once Sehwag left, he took on the responsibility to up the ante.

Gambhir’s job was made easy by Shikar Dhawan who played second fiddle to perfection. Clearing his front foot at the most oppurtunate moment to make space and swing through the line to clear the infield on either side was a revelation. His shot selection was of the highest class and the pressure he put on the bowlers ensured they bowled to his strong areas.

Gambhir picked the right bowlers to attack. He was content playing Muralitharan for six per over and not allow him a wicket. He went after Amarnath who lacked air speed. Once the fifth bowler was taken to the cleaners the pressure was squarely on Chennai and that led to the frontline try different things.

This is the area Gambhir scores over other batsmen in T20. Natural stroke players try to exceed their own ability. Gambhir on the other hand plays the ball solely on merit and pays little attention to the situation or the bowler’s reputation.

India owed largely to Gambhir’s clean hitting in their World Cup success in South Africa and the IPL has been no different for the Delhi Daredevils.

To be noticed when Sehwag is on song is an achievement by itself and it is to Gambhir’s credit he is contributing big time without trying things out of his zone.