Gambhir rejoins Essex, scores 32

Out-of-favour India opener Gautam Gambhir scored a patient 36 on rejoining Essex, in the County Championship Division Two four-day match against Kent in Canterbury on Wednesday.

Opening the batting, he adopted a cautious approach while facing 132 deliveries and hitting two boundaries, at St Lawrence ground.

He was dismissed by right-arm pacer Charlie Shreck in the 42nd over of the day, caught by Brendan Nash.

Since commencing his stint with Essex last month Gambhir had scores of 31, 21, 2 and 0 before registering a hundred on August 30 against Gloucestershire in a drawn match in Bristol.

The left-handed opener, however, had to return home on September 1 following a bereavement in the family.

Gambhir has not played for India since the home ODI series against England in January. He was later ruled out of the subsequent Test series against Australia due to jaundice after being selected for the first Test. 

Image: Gautam Gambhir

Photograph: Getty Images