Gambhir made only 2 after Essex captain James Foster elected to bat at the Old Trafford ground.
The left-hander, who is fighting to make a comeback into the Indian team had scored 31 in a first-class game against Northamptonshire and 21 in a Pro-40 game against Derbyshire.
Today Gambhir was the first batsmen to get out after facing nine deliveries as he poked at an away-going delivery of seamer Kabir Ali which was snapped up by veteran South African Ashwell Prince in the slip cordon.
Gambhir will still get a few matches to make a mark before the Indian domestic season begins.
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Image: Gautam Gambhir
Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images