Gichrist turns a soothsayer, predicted his team’s victory

CENTURION - Australian Adam Gilchrist has turned a soothsayer Friday. The Deccan Chargers captain wrote on a slip ‘We will win by six wickets,’ before their semifinal match against Delhi Daredevils. The swashbuckler made sure his prediction came good smashing a 35-ball 85 and the Hyderabad side indeed cantered to six-wicket win.

Gilchrist pulled out that chit from his pocket at the post match press conference. The writing was unmistakably Gilchrist’s and there was no reason to disbelieve him when he said that he had scribbled his prediction long before the team left the hotel.

“I had some intuition in the morning that we would win by six wickets. I always back my instincts so I just took out a paper and wrote what I felt. I am quite amazed that it came true,” Gilchrist told a surprised press corps.

“It (instinct) is what invokes an urge to do better on the field. The beauty is that it makes the performance, whatever that may be, rewarding.”

His prediction was spot on like his tracer bullet-like shots that sped past Daredevils fielders Friday.

Gilchrist, with his hurricane knock, not only powered Deccan Chargers into the final, but also became the first to cross the 900-run mark and smash more than 150 boundaries in the IPL.

Not that he played a dazzling knock for the first time. The 37-year-old was world’s most feared batsman till he bowed out of international cricket last year after the home series against India.Yet, his ability to hit the ball with such power is still intact.

The innings reminded one of his masterly 149 in the 2003 World Cup final that dashed India’s dream of winning it a second time.

Asked to compare the two innings, Gilchrist said: “For me to compare an innings or the runs is not important, what is important is the timing of the innings. So, tonight this was the most important knock of my life,” he said.

“I think I just pulled it out in a big match situation not only in the World Cup final but also here. Back then I knew I had Punter (Ricky Ponting), Symo (Andrew Symonds) and others to follow, but today since we were chasing, I wanted to finish it off. In T20s it is by far my best knock.”

From finishing right at the bottom of the IPL table last year, Chargers were a totally different outfit this time.

“We have learnt a lot from our mistakes last year and this year we had decided to back our skills.”

“We have learnt that it is possible to play to our potential. The winners also learn. We have now learnt to explore what is more humanly possible for us as a team. It has been a journey of a lifetime for most of us.

“I think competition does not mean an attempt to beat others. It merely means to do better than what one is already doing.

Gilchrist acknowledged the contribution of his fellow-Australian, coach Darren Lehmann, saying he was a big help.

“We have been great mates in the Australian dressing room. Having him in the team releases the pressure from me as I know he is always there. His cricketing knowledge is unquestionable. I respect his cricket and is a terrific person.”