Gambhir equals Richards’ record, misses Sir Don’s

Gambhir, after having compiled yet an other fifty, equalled the record set by Vivian Richards of the West Indies of having scored the most number of fifties in consecutive Test matches.

EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: Gautam Gambhir raises his bat after scoring a century on the fourth day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh on Jan. 20, 2010. This was his fifth century in as many Test matches.

Gautam Gambhir on Monday equalled West Indian legend Vivian Richards’ world record of most fifties in consecutive Tests during his 68-run knock on the second day of the second and final cricket Test against Bangladesh here on Monday.

Gambhir and Richards now have 11 fifty-plus knocks each in as many consecutive Tests.

The successful run of the left-handed Indian opener, the leading player in the ICC batsmen rankings and 2009 ICC Player of the Year, started with the 67 and 104 he made in the second Test against Australia at Mohali in October 2008.

His other 50-plus scores since then are 206 (vs Australia; Oct 2008), 66 (vs England; Dec 2008 ), 179 and 97 (vs England; Dec 2008), 72 (vs New Zealand; March 2009), 137 (vs New Zealand; March 2009), 167 (vs New Zealand; April 2009), 114 (vs Sri Lanka; Nov 2009), 167 (vs Sri Lanka; Nov 2009), 116 (vs Bangladesh; Jan 2010).

Richards achieved the record during January 1976 to February 1977.

Gambhir, however, missed out on Australian Don Bradman’s record of six Test tons in as many consecutive matches.