Gilchrist inspires his teammates

Soon after his team’s six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at the VCA Stadium here on Saturday, Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist explained how a disappointed Andrew Symonds had come up to him a week ago and said that he wanted to contribute a lot more towards the team’s cause.

What transpired between the former Aussie teammates is not known, but what we all know is Gilly’s words woke up the slumbering giant in the all-rounder who went on to crack a match-winning 54 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in DC’s very next fixture. What’s more, Symmo held his nerves to take his side home on Saturday too.

Yes, a do-or-die situation stares the defending champions in the face even now, but with a leader like Gilchrist around, the team sure is in safe hands. In IPL II, Gilly & Co had started off things with a bang. Four wins on the trot and they looked unstoppable.

Suddenly, the pressure of expectations got to them and their campaign went awry. The team was brought down to earth and managed only three victories in the next 10 games.

In fact, DC scraped through to the business end of the tournament only because of a healthier run-rate (as compared to Kings XI Punjab). It won’t be a surprise if the 37-year-old actually inspires his side to do the unthinkable yet again. And there is more than one reason to believe so.

The catch here is that Gilchrist knows how to handle his boys, be it a maverick like Symonds or a shy guy like Tirumalasetti Suman. He strikes the right chord, says the right words and sends across the right message. There is no dressing room disquiet after a loss, no one points fingers and there’s no fall guy. “It’s the team that lost, not individuals,” he often reiterates.

Gilchrist is more or less like a noble ruler who nurtures his ‘people’ instead of chastising them when the going gets tough. Take Suman’s case for instance. The 26-year-old right-hander, who was named skipper during one of DC’s practice games ahead of IPL III, happened to face a bunch led by Gilchrist himself. And by some quirk of fate, Suman’s tactics worked and his side humbled Gilly & Co.

The Australian was obviously impressed with the Hyderabadi and was, in fact, shocked to know that Suman has been donning the captain’s hat since his U-13 days. The duo held a lengthy discussion on strategy and Suman’s confidence has been sky-high ever since his skipper started valuing the ideas he puts forth.

Gilchrist, who has scored 251 runs in 11 matches with just one half-century — mediocre, albeit by his standards - has admitted he hasn’t quite performed the way he should. He even stood up and took “most of the responsibility” during the team’s recent five-match losing streak.

The good thing is that DC are peaking at the right time. As a skipper, Gilchrist has done most things right.

Yes, his current form with the bat is a worry, but not a calamity. And
that’s the only note that he’s yet to strike. Maybe, the time has come.