Whoever writes the scripts for Adam Gilchrist? The final on Sunday was personally not the best for the Deccan Chargers but the enviable leader that he is, he put the failure with the bat quickly aside when he took field. The heat and passion from the body language of the Chargers was felt a good hundred yards away.If Gilchrist was the tactical captain for the night, Andrew Symonds was the adrenaline leader. Throwing himself around like a kid in a water park, the positive energy from Symonds literally rubbed on to each of his mates. Chargers did not just defend 143, their effort on the field was an assertion of intent. They deserved to win.
Stepping aside from the IPL momentarily, only just, Gilchrist said he was surprised to see a match winner like Andrew Symonds being left out of the Ashes squad. “I was surprised. But it is not my job to pick the team for Australia. Symonds is that sort of a player–he has been such a team man and he gets the great spirit in the team. We saw a little glimpse of that in the last season of the IPL where he got just four games and what he added there. The respect he got from the international and Indian players and is huge. He became an instant favourite when he joined the squad this time. He is a great personality and a wonderful talent on the cricket field. He can turn matches,” said Gilchrist on his former national colleague.
For a player who has taken to the big stage with fondness, the IPL final was a rare final. No shame here as he was outfoxed by another legend who doesn’t have his team mates backing his extraordinary commitment in crunch games. Gilchrist paid a rich tribute to Anil Kumble and at also noted it was difficult for him to pick between the World Cup wins and the victory on Sunday. “It is no surprise that a guy like Anil Kumble comes up with a standout performance in this tournament. His leadership from the outside, both in this competition and when he was leading the national team, he looks to me like a natural leader, a guy who defends everyone, makes them feel comfortable and part of the set up. So no surprise that the team did well under his guidance.”
From a bottom place finish in 2008 to a title win, Gilchrist needs to be paid lot of credit for the turnaround but the skipper instead said it was a total team effort. “I think a lot of credit goes to the franchise for turning it around. I think my catch phrase for this tournament to the players was to make sure that every ball –the very next ball– is the most important thing of their lives at the moment. It does sound dramatic but there is nothing else going on in our lives at that moment. The team remained focused. Well a lot of focus was required today and everyone responded well. It has just been a great experience. And not to forget the role played by the support and coaching staff, they have all played an equally important role in the win,” explained Gilchrist.
Gilchrist reserved his best for V.V.S. Laxman and that proved how close knit unit the Chargers were. “It is not because of one person or one leadership group it was much more than that. Everyone just poured in. Laxman obviously went through a lot emotionally as he had the captaincy taken away from him. He has been here and played just five games. We told him that we did not need him in the end of the tournament. But we wanted him to contribute with his vast knowledge and experience. He worked with our fitness trainer, fielding coach and Darren. It was actually exciting to see what he epitomises. The youngsters had a lot to learn from him and his own willingness to try and do better was awesome.”
The knock from Herschelle Gibbs also deserved special mention from Gilchrist “It was the sort of rock like foundation. He was very clever. It was a brave innings from him and symbolic of where he is at in life at the moment. He has been honest about his life in recent times. He has come out of the other side really well, so I am really proud of him. And I think, as you say, shows sort of in a cricketing sense, how he has matured and come to terms with things,” added Gilchrist.
The Chargers learnt from their mistakes, played hard and a smarter brand of T20 cricket rather than walking out and trying to literally just fire from ball one. In the end it was an apt reward for perseverance, passion and pride.
