Virat will be close to Sachin's records: Adam Gilchrist

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist can still give nightmares to the bowlers he batted against. The destructive former cricketer was in Mumbai for a promotional event. He attended the meet as the ambassador of the University of Wollongong. On the occasion, Gilly opined about the current scenario in Australian cricket. He also had his views shared on the trending issues in Indian cricket at the moment.

Australia have been struggling as a unit in the recent past. They were whitewashed by South Africa in the ODI series. Now they lost the first Test at Perth too. When asked about what is wrong with Australian cricket at the moment, Gilly had different opinions. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with them. I think they are possibly losing the big 50-50 moments in Tests recently. In all those games, they were in a position where if they just continue on, they would be dominating those games and just close them out,” quoted Gilchrist.

He further added that the team is also learning as it is progressing. It is just a matter of time that skipper Steve Smith and his side bounce back well enough. “To me, Australian team is learning as it is progressing. Steve Smith is learning about his captaincy role and his own technique. I am not criticizing them at all. The reality is that they are learning as they go. After every game, they will be more improved in understanding what they have got to do to be successful,” added the former wicket-keeper.

Adam Gilchrist also spoke on MS Dhoni and the news revolving around his retirement. With players like Rishabh Pant doing well in domestic cricket, there have been questions about MS calling it a day. Gilchrist believes that as long as MS Dhoni is contributing, he should continue. He rightly pointed out how Dhoni played a couple of good hands in the series against New Zealand recently. He further added that Dhoni has done enough to have earned the right to play till he contributes towards the end of his career.

Also read – Selectors reckon that MS Dhoni can continue playing till 2019 World Cup

“My take is that he seems to be contributing. He’s been an inspirational leader. Just in the recent series, he played a couple of big hands in winning games. What is the rush to push him out? Virat has assumed the Test captaincy brilliantly. Might be a nice, smooth, slow transition to allow Virat to settle into that role and then assume the ODI captaincy. I don’t know the talent at the next level is so compelling that they need to move players on, ” quoted the former wicket-keeper batsman.

”Dhoni has earned the right to be able to play in the twilight of his career as long as he is contributing,” he added further.

When asked about Wriddhiman Saha, the replacement of MS Dhoni, Gilchrist opined that Saha is terrific player. He was all praise for the wicket-keeper from West Bengal. ”He is a terrific cricketer. He clearly picks himself in the team both as a keeper and as a batsman. I believe that he has got a professional, strong work ethic. He looks like a valuable member of any teams that he has been a part of. He is an exciting player, ” said Adam Gilchrist praising Wriddhiman Saha.

Commenting on the comparisons made between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Gilly termed Kohli as the next generation player. Gilly quoted that Sachin is undoubtedly the best he has played against. Reasoning the same, he added that Sachin rarely gave the opposition a chance. On the contrary, Kohli always gives a sense of chance to the opposition with his attacking game play.

Also read – After Sachin Tendulkar, I idolise Virat Kohli: Mandeep Singh

”They are different types of players. Virat is the ‘next generation’ player. As an opponent you may feel like he is offering you a chance, but that comes with a risk too. He can take it away from you quickly. Sachin, on the other hand, was so clinical. So often you felt like you just won’t get him out, dislodge him. He would just build, build, and build. He is the best player I have played against, but I think by the end of Virat’s career, his record and the way he is regarded in the cricketing world will be right up there, close to Sachin, ” remarked the former Aussie opener.

Adam Gilchrist further refused to predict the Test result between India and England. He believes when the predictions start coming in, the game loses it’s excitement. Adding further to it, he commented that England have started off really well. England could have lost 2-0 in Bangladesh but showed real character by drawing level there as well.

”England have started well. I don’t think its easy to predict anything about Test cricket at the moment. India have obviously been dominant at home, but they have instantly been challenged by a team which just lost to a team known as ‘minnows’ in Bangladesh. They could have lost 0-2 but they drew the series 1-1. It is all unpredictable…and I think that is exciting at the moment, the fact you are going into a series and even days of cricket not knowing what the end result is going to be, and that’s what will make people want to continue to follow it and watch it. When it becomes predictable, that when it loses its excitement, ” he conceded.