Chennai, July 22: Gautam Gambhir grew up dreaming about the Indian Test cap. It was surprising for a player from the 1980s who had grown up on an overdose of limited overs cricket on television. For the soft-spoken left-hander, though, the longer version was the ultimate thing.

Gambhir looks more assured than ever, even though many players appear uncertain about their careers and technique at 27 years of age. With an impressive average of 54.07 from 25 Tests, Gambhir finds himself at the top of the ladder among Test batsmen. It is a reward for getting his priorities right.

"The greatness of a player is judged on his Test record. That’s why Tests are my priority. I am happy that my performances over the last two seasons have helped me reach a milestone. More importantly, I’m delighted to have helped India win matches," said Gambhir.

The Delhi lad is still a stickler at heart. It is no secret that any batsman would trade his runs in the shorter formats for Test runs. "There is a different set of challenges in each format but Test cricket demands a lot more than the other formats. It challenges both your temperament and skills. I enjoy the pressure of Test cricket more," noted Gambhir.

Gambhir has been riding on the crest of a wave of late but he had to endure stinging criticism early on. His very presence in the Test team was questioned. Even the ODI runs he made under difficult conditions were written off.

"To be honest it was those harsh comments that has made me what I am today. I took it up on me to prove my critics wrong. It can be frustrating at times. It becomes difficult to deal when critics get personal. A player should be looked at in totality and not by a few innings," explained Gambhir, owner of 2,271 Test runs and six centuries.

National selection committee chairman Kris Srikkanth said: "He is one of the important members of the team in all formats. His journey has been extraordinary. His comeback speaks volumes about his mental strength.

"To me, the striking feature of his batting is his positive intent. A lot of that, I’m sure, has rubbed off him on from Virender Sehwag. What they bring to the team is invaluable. Half the battle is won when the openers contribute consistently. It does not surprise me that Gambhir is the top Test batsman in the world at the moment."

The Test series in Sri Lanka last year was a litmus test for Gambhir. He passed it with flying colours. A still head, decisive footwork and precision in shot selection heralded the arrival of a new Gambhir. From there the graph has only moved upwards.

"I knew that was a crucial series. I wanted to seal my place and to counter Murali and Mendis on their soil was not an easy task. It was a make or break tour and prepared me for tougher assignments against Australia, England and New Zealand," added Gambhir.

Gambhir’s strength is not his technique but a mind that helps his limited technique work well for him. The southpaw has the perfect mindset for an opener.