'Sri Lanka series was the turning point'

Gautam Gambhir edged out his India and Delhi opening partner Virender Sehwag in a close tussle for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award for 2008.

The southpaw, who scored over 1,000 runs in Tests and ODIs in the calendar year of 2008, received a trophy and a cheque for Rs 5 lakhs at a glittering function, in Mumbai on Thursday.

"I never thought I would score 1000 runs in both forms of the game especially in Test cricket because at one point of time I wasn't even there in the Test team. But I think the Sri Lanka series was the turning point for my Test career," Gambhir said.

The left-hander also reflected on his double century he made against Australia in Delhi last year.

'It was one of my dream because I had made my debut against Australia and I was all at sea when I played my first game at Wankhede [in November 2004]. So always had one thing in my mind that I want to score against Australia."

Image: Gautam Gambhir receives the Indian Cricketer of the Year Award