Gambhir comes of age as test batsman

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India batsman Gautam Gambhir hailed a career-turning home series against Australia after stroking a superb 149 not out on the first day of the third test on Wednesday.

He scored his second consecutive century to rescue India from early trouble to reach 296 for three at stumps, after making 104 in India's record 320-run win in the second test in Mohali.

Despite his obvious talent and repertoire of big shots that belie his slight build, the 27-year-old had failed to cash in on good starts at the crease before ending a four-year wait by scoring his second test hundred in Mohali.

"I had been getting out a lot in the 60s and 70s, but I always knew that if I get one hundred that could be the turning point in my test career," he told reporters.

"Now I'm much more relaxed and I think this is the turning point in my career."

Gambhir had lived in the shadows of Delhi captain and fellow India opener Virender Sehwag until this series.

He made three fifties in the series defeat in Sri Lanka in July-August and his dismissal for 67 in the first innings in Mohali seemed to reinforce questions about his temperament.

Gambhir was delighted to play his best against Australia.