The Player:
Adam Gilchrist. Nicknamed Gilly and Church. Probably should also be named ‘The Walker’. One of the best wicket-keeper batsman of recent times.
Claim to Fame:
Needs no introduction. Redefined the manner in which cricket was played. Redefined the manner in which the IPL recruiters went about getting in wicket-keepers. And reignited the debate about whether or not to walk after nicking the ball!
Ended with a Test match average of 48, and an ODI average of 36. More than anything had strike-rates of 82 and 97 respectively in the two formats of the game; almost the best in the game.
Team in IPL: Deccan Chargers.
He started the season as a wicket-keeper opener for the Chargers in the first season. But with the injury to VVS Laxman in the first season, he soon was assigned the captaincy. It did not help the Chargers, as they hurtled from one defeat to another, and ended at the bottom position. He did top the batting for the Chargers with 436 runs that included a century and three half centuries to his credit. The century came against Mumbai Indians and was one of the quickest in the IPL history.
What changed was the fact that the Chargers axed Laxman from the captaincy and brought in Gilchrist as the captain. He led the side to one win after another and despite a late dip in the fortunes, was able to lead the team to the semi-finals of the tournament. In the semis, chasing a target of 154, Gilchrist creamed the Delhi bowlers to all parts of the ground with a 35-ball 85 to guide the side into the final. Gilly did not score in the final, but did enough as the captain to triumph by beating Bangalore.
Price Tag:
He was bought for $700,000 by the Deccan Chargers in the auctions. It was during these very auctions that he made the famous comment, “There was a little element of feeling like a cow. But it’s interesting and unique. There is a slight uneasiness. But let us allow it to settle down.” He is the costliest player for the Deccan Chargers after Andrew Symonds who had more than a million going for him.
Prospects in IPL 2010:
He will continue to captain the side in the third edition of the tournament. He should also open the innings and keep wickets for the side. And given the fact that he has already retired from the game, he should be available for the entire season of the tournament. In the last year, he had shaken off the rust of not having played cricket for an year to perform remarkably well with the bat. One year on, with a body that is more than 38 years old, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to deliver the goods.
Source: http://clicksport.com.au/article/profile-adam-gilchrist--deccan-chargers.html
