Deccan Chargers have in captain Adam Gilchrist a leader who can look at the bigger picture. Maybe the wide view of the field from a wicketkeeper’s viewpoint reflects in his thought process on the game.
The effect of Indian Premier League on cricketers engaged in the T20 version in IPL 3 dominated the flow of questions fired at the Australian.
He emphasised on continual change as the common factor through three editions of IPL, with teams looking to surprise opponents. “Brendon McCullum (New Zealand’s wicketkeeper/batsman) walking out there to bat like he did (IPL 2008 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore) is the sort of surprise I am talking about,” said the DC captain.
Excerpts from a chat after the DC nets at MCA Recreation Centre:
The effect on quality in IPL 3 due to the non-availability of foreign players busy with international cricket?
The beauty of the situation is this is where management comes in. I am confident of the overseas players we have. In the first few games, the Indian contingent’s performance will be a deciding factor. Every team will be affected by the foreign players kept away due to international schedule.
DC’s Indian contingent, as you term it, is a mix of internationals Rohit Sharma, R P Singh and domestic performers like Harmeet Singh. Do you feel the Indians in your squad have learnt to play smart cricket?
There are many Indians figuring in the IPL. The remarkable thing that comes to mind is the aggression in these youngsters, they want to play aggressive cricket. Apart from learning to play smartly, aggression is something almost all of them have imbibed.
Your view on the most important factor in IPL 3, on the basis of experience in the first two editions?
There is continual change. Teams and players are constantly on the lookout to innovate. The batting of Brendon McCullum and Dilshan Tillekeratne (Sri Lankan batsman playing for Delhi Daredevils) for example. The kind of shots they play, both have opened up new sections of the field for scoring, which previously was scored only if the wicketkeeper was having a snooze.
Do you feel the players will be under pressure due to short recovery period between the IPl3 and T20 World Cup?
Being just before the World T20 is a great benefit to all nations whose players are part of IPL. They are going to use this opportunityas a great opportunity to prepare for the T20 World Cup. It is theworkload no doubt, but the IPL needs to be aware of that too, in notgetting too big for the detriment of the game. I was reading withinterest Lalit Modi’s comments that the Commissioner and the committeeare aware of that, as they look to extend the competition but notlooking to take up too much time.
IPL 3 will be marked by absence of Pakistanis and security factor at hotels and matches. Your view...
A: It did surprise me; they are the current World champions in this format of the game. But to balance that surprise, they was a reasonably limited amount of positions available this time and teams had specific desires. Perhaps those player types were not needed by the franchises.
It would be of greater interest next year when potentially a majority of players will be back in the auction. Regarding the security factor, the arrangement at the team hotel where we are staying is second to none. The test will come when teams are moving.
