'Gambhir best Indian opener since Gavaskar' - Sehwag

Virender Sehwag has hailed Gautam Gambhir, who scored a series-topping 445 runs on the recent tour of New Zealand, as India's best opener since Sunil Gavaskar.

Gambhir's contrasting Test centuries in New Zealand - a 643-minute match-saving 137 in Napier and a much faster 167 in Wellington - have lifted him to a career-high fourth in the ICC rankings. He was the leading run-getter in ODIs last year, and proved his credentials in the game's shortest format at the World Twenty20 in 2007 and last year's IPL. "Gambhir is the only opener I have known who is at ease in any form of the game," Sehwag told the Hindu. "Gavaskar was a great opener in Tests and one-dayers and Gambhir has adapted wonderfully to the T20 format too. He is just too good."

Despite a run-filled 2008, there were still questions about Gambhir's ability to make big scores outside the subcontinent, which he answered with his strong showing in New Zealand. "Just see how he kept adapting. I can't think of anyone better than Gambhir in terms of technique, temperament and style," Sehwag said. "To me, he is the best opener India has had since Gavaskar."

Gambhir, though, said he didn't believe in comparisons. "But having come from my favourite player it means a lot to me," he told PTI. "Sehwag is such a big player and that he feels so makes me really happy."

He also called his performance in the series "very satisfying". "I always wanted to do well abroad, I am very happy that I could do that." He rated his epic rearguard effort in the second Test in Napier his best Test innings.

It has been a dream run for Gambhir over the past year-and-a-half but he insisted that a lot more had to be achieved. "You can never be stagnant. You have to keep moving. You have to keep working on your game for your progress and move ahead."