By Qaiser Mohammad Ali
IANSÂ
Dhaka : Gautam Gambhir, who scored a century in India's 46-run win over Bangladesh in the second one-day international (ODI) here Saturday that helped them clinch the series 2-0, said his aim was to stay at the crease till the 40th over. And he did exactly that.
"It was very important that one of the top four (batsmen) must continue to bat as long as possible – till the 40th over – and that's what I did. It was on my mind and luckily that happened," he told reporters after scoring the second century in his 21st ODI.
Gambhir opened the innings and batted till the 39th over, when he was out for 101 off 113 balls. He hit 11 boundaries. His innings helped India to 284 for eight wickets in 49 overs. Bangladesh made 238 for nine wickets in 49 overs.
"Being on the winning side and getting a hundred … it always feels great. When I got my first hundred, we were on the losing side then," he said, referring to his knock against Sri Lanka in November 2005 in Ahmedabad.
"But today it feels great that we won the series and (me) getting a hundred also."
The Delhi batsman pointed out that he had been getting starts but unable to play a big knock.
"It feels good. I was getting starts and it was important to carry on from those starts. I thought it was the right time because we were 1-0 up (in the series) and to seal the series it was very important," he said.
"I just want to concentrate and that's very important. Playing each and every game for India is like a dream but I am not thinking too far."
Gambhir batted with cramps, with Virender Sehwag as his runner.
"There was a lot of cramps but it was important from the team's point of view that I continue to play a long innings which I did," he said.
The third and final match is in Chittagong Tuesday.