The unforgiving nature of Twenty20 which does not give teams a chance to resurrect after committing a mistake puts it at par with Test cricket in terms of pressure, feels Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist.
"I think Twenty20 cricket applies more pressure on the players. It is at par with Test cricket simply because in T20s it is a real battle of wits – as a batsman it is against the bowler and if you are a bowler then it is against the batsman," Gilchrist said.
"...it is like a game where whoever blinks first could end up paying the ultimate price. There is just no time to make a mistake. In a Test match, if you make a mistake you get time and the opportunity to resurrect. I think that is the beauty of the game. It can be played in different formats but the basic constituents of the game remain the same," he added.
The retired Australian wicket-keeper-batsman led his team into the Indian Premier League finals with a breathtaking 35-ball 85 in the semis against Delhi Daredevils here on Friday night.
Gilchrist said with 15 years of international experience he should have finished off the game for Deccan with a hundred.
"It is surely disappointing to get out before the break. I should have seen the side home. You think after 15 years of international cricket you would have learnt something for sure, apparently not," he said.
Deccan had not beaten Delhi before Friday night in the IPL and Gilchrist said it was quite a relief to finally outsmart the team, which led the standings during the league stage.
"We had not beaten Delhi Daredevils in the tournament so far. So, it is good to get the monkey off your back. Obviously
it was disappointing to lose last night," he said.
Asked what he told his players before the semifinal, Gilchrist said, "I told them what happens in the tournament is the most important thing in their life. And when they field, it is their next delivery that is the most important moment of their lives because whatever you are doing at that moment is important."
"We came in as the underdogs and here we are in the final. All I can think as of now is that we will enjoy tonight our win."
Gilchrist said he was happy that the players were responding to what he was telling them.
"We have encouraged each of our players to work hard and they have done that – they have responded.
"It is pretty basic stuff but the way we were last in the table we had to really get back to the basics and try to build our foundation. The players have responded well and they now believe that they can compete at this level," he said.
On Matthew Hayden's recent comments that retirement has helped him do well in IPL, Gilchrist said he wouldn't advice any youngster to give up international cricket for T20.
"I have enjoyed my days as international cricketer. I wouldn't suggest the young guys to retire and play IPL but I would say that there is room for IPL if you have got the passion and love for the game," he said.
