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Gilchrist predicts better days for Chargers

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Adam Gilchrist’s spontaneous smile reflects his blithe spirit. And he is enjoying the ride.

The Deccan Chargers has lost a lot more than it has won and Gilchrist, save for an odd scintillating effort, has encountered more failures than successes. The Aussie predicts betters days for his side.

Disciplinary front

He is happy that the IPL has acted swiftly on the disciplinary front.

“I don’t know what led to the incident between Harbhajan and Sreesanth. But a decision was taken quickly. When Shane Warne and Sourav Ganguly had a go at each other talking to the media, the IPL acted again.”

The batsman-wicketkeeping legend is delighted with the performances of his mates, Warne and Glenn McGrath, in the competition. “Warne has been bold and innovative as captain, attacking and imaginative as a leg-spinner. He has got a young side moving. McGrath has been so ruthlessly accurate. His bowling has been more about control than any seam or swing,” he said.

Gilchrist believes another golden legend, Sachin Tendulkar, will be up and roaring again once he regains fitness. “Every time you feel he is running out of time, he kicks another gear,” he says.

He doesn’t quite hide his admiration for a member of his tribe. “Dhoni is such a dangerous batsman. He can hit a six off virtually any ball.”

Praise for Rohit

On the young cricketers, he rates Rohit Sharma high.

“It’s not just about his exceptional ability to play strokes or his timing. I have watched him from close in the Deccan Chargers team and it is about his entire attitude and approach to the game,” he said.

When Gilchrist walks away from cricket, he will do so as a cricketer and a gentleman.

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