1. He loves the game. Can you imagine the man who’s held aloft the World Cup trophy thrice in nine years not being able to sleep because he has to play the final of “an Indian domestic cricket tournament” (that’s what Lalit Modi insists it is) the next day? “It’s what is important (to you) and on at that time,” he chuckled.

2. He can inspire you. And I am not just talking about his Deccan Chargers players. Even reporters would get charged up when Adam did a Kabir Khan in the press conference. “When you are fielding, it’s the next delivery… make it the most important thing in your life at that moment because there’s nothing else happening in your life at that moment.” Goosebumps, Gilly!

3. He can laugh at himself. While most of the Indian captains, barring Yuvraj, wore a scowl, Gilly even laughed out loud. When asked whether he regretted missing his century in the semis against Delhi, he said with a straight face: “You think after 15 years of international cricket you will learn something, but not to be!”

4. He is forthright. For ears tired of diplomatic answers from cricketers, who never mean what they say, Gilchrist is like a symphony. He tells it as it is just like he hits through the ball, just like he walks without waiting for the umpire’s finger. Sample: Should Symonds be in the Australian national team? “He will be in my team!”

5. He is not like Indian politicians (and some cricketers) when it comes to retirement. If Adam Gilchrist wakes up in the morning and declares he wants to play for Australia, no selection committee can keep him out from any form of the game. Remind him that and the chuckle returns: “Naah… There is no such consideration for me. I love this tournament (IPL). I will take a year off and then come back to have another crack next year.”

6. He respects everyone. Guess who Gilchrist chose to call the real inspiration in the Deccan Chargers team? The man who hardly got a game for them — V.V.S. Laxman. “He realises that he doesn’t fit into the team and yet at this age he is trying to train himself as a T20 player. That’s the kind of commitment the team has.”

7. He is a real pro (and a reporter’s delight, post-match). Match over and most losing teams would go into an emergency meeting for half an hour. So what if 20 journalists are waiting at the press conference in the Jo’burg chill. Then one team would send the coach with the captain to handle the difficult questions. One team just sent the coach. Gilly never had such issues. Win or lose, he would arrive right after the prize distribution and bat through as many questions as you were ready to bowl at him.

8. He doesn’t believe in hierarchy. Gilly was the only captain in sight to come all the way to the middle to talk to the two batsmen in the middle during the strategic break. The players didn’t need to go to the dugout, their captain was there for them.

9. He is a great guy to talk to. A chat request after the semi-final press conference was met with a grin. “Yeah, it’s all right!” he smiled. And then Gilly spoke like he’s known me forever, punctuating his lucid words — a rarity for his countrymen — with smiles warm enough to keep the Bullring cold away.

10. He remains the best batsman-keeper in the world (sorry MSD). As a batsman he smashes the ball, as a keeper he catches the ball. Simple. A journalist friend rooting for Delhi went to get some supper at the start of the Deccan Chargers innings at the Centurion semi-final. The match was over by the time he returned and trust me, he didn’t overeat.

Are you a Gilchrist fan as well? Tell us why at t2@abpmail.com