Adam Gilchrist

Calcutta: Adam Gilchrist, a legend among ’keeper-batsmen, spoke to The Telegraph on the drive from the Eden to The Sonar, on Friday evening. Gilchrist is captaining the Kings XI Punjab.

The following are excerpts:

Q At 39, what keeps driving you?

A (Grins) I would’ve been very surprised myself had somebody said I could still be playing the game three years after retiring from international cricket... The timing of the IPL has played a part... It began just a month-and-a-half or so after I was through with playing for Australia and it has given me an excellent opportunity. Besides, the financial benefits are there. I’ve been able to continue doing something I hold dear without actually going through the whole grind.

Have you regretted having retired, in March 2008?

Never.

Do you play the game at any level in the period between the IPLs?

No... It’s in the weeks just before the IPL that I start training... Fortunately, because of my lifestyle, I haven’t had fitness issues. I start the IPL fresh and excited.

Despite having led the Deccan Chargers to the IPL-II title, the franchise didn’t retain you for this season and the next. How did you take it?

Nothing was conveyed to me (by the franchise)... There was no discussion, no indication... The owners have the right to have the personnel of their choice, but the lack of any communication from their side left me surprised... I’d put in three years of dedication, had been committed... They probably wanted to move in a new direction and it’s their prerogative... I believe a lot of players found themselves in a similar situation.

You were quoted as saying that somebody from the franchise had been bad-mouthing you...

I’d heard something after the auction, in January... I wouldn’t like to get into it, let’s leave it.

What’s it like being with the Kings XI?

Very enjoyable... We have a great bunch of guys, with everybody on the same level, nobody having a sense of superiority over the other... There are no egos... There’s evenness within and about the group... We’re learning from each other, learning about each other.

One of the Kings XI owners is the bubbly Preity Zinta...

(Laughs) Yeah... We’ve interacted the most with her... Preity is a wonderful young lady, very emotionally attached to the team.

Was it more challenging in 2008, in the IPL’s inaugural year, or is it more challenging now?

Across the board, I think, people are wiser now than they were three years ago... In 2008, it was driving into the unknown. Today, a lot more is known about T20 and about the personnel. There definitely were teething problems, but the franchises now know how to operate. You’ve got to take the baby steps before you can run.

How are challenges best met?

Look, there’s no fear in today’s generation... It seems to be up for the challenges... This is new-age cricket.

What has the IPL taught you?

It has enhanced me as a person and helped me develop and grow... I’ve always had an affinity with India... Coming with the Australia teams, I’d be an opponent, but the IPL has changed that, exposing me to very special experiences... I’m seen as an insider, not an outsider.

Cricket-wise how do you view India?

The sport has grown immensely (in India) in the last three years... The boundaries appear to be limitless, but things could get better in terms of the set-up.

T20 has its pluses, but could it also harm the game?

Look, I don’t want to say T20 is bad for cricket, not at all. However, there are dangers... The longer version of cricket is seen as the ultimate, as is representing your country... I hope that doesn’t change… I do occasionally hear that the focus isn’t there and so on, but I hope that’s not true... Perhaps, there is a generational change. The challenge for the younger generation would be to curb their exuberance and hone their skills to meet the requirements of Test cricket.

The country versus franchise debate keeps cropping up...

(Emotionally) For me, the country has to come first... After all, it’s the country which puts cricketers in positions they are in... Country, province, club... It goes down to the grassroots... You’ve got to respect it, you’ve got to show gratitude. All the layers of cricket which allow you to reach the top have to be kept alive.

Paul Valthaty has been a revelation in IPL-IV. Your thoughts?

He played aggressively in both our practice matches and he seemed to have a good knowledge of how to go about his game... We promoted him as an opener (against the Chennai Super Kings) and he responded with a breathtaking unbeaten hundred... It wasn’t a masterstroke on the part of the management, he did his part so very well... Our only message to him was that he should back his natural game... His execution of plans was brilliant... He’s extremely level-headed and I don’t expect the success to get to his head.

Could Valthaty soon be playing for India, in limited overs cricket?

We shouldn’t be putting him under pressure, let’s just let him be... The IPL is a platform and he’s using it well... If he continues working hard, the rewards should follow.

To talk of Australia, what will it take to get back the No.1 ranking in Test cricket?

A natural evolution of the team is going on, beginning with Ricky (Ponting) stepping down as captain... New players will come in and some of them may re-ignite the flame which burns bright... Our infrastructure is excellent and our talent identification is fantastic... The foundations of a good team are there... Also, one has to remember that other nations, too, are getting it right.

Your advice to captain Michael Clarke...

He should continue to be true to himself... I know he does things his way and he’s aware of the fact that, ultimately, the captain is accountable. Michael’s biggest challenge will be to manage his game when he feels he’s not getting it right... He’ll have to manage the many responsibilities, which come with the job, as well.

Having been a member of three World Cup-winning XIs, what was it like to sit in the stands at the Wankhede, four weeks ago?

Certainly felt different... Felt emotional as well... To watch India win a World Cup final in India was awesome... The moment wasn’t lost on me... One of the great joys of leading a retired life is that you can reflect on the good times and bad... My thoughts did go back to the 2007 final (against Sri Lanka), when I got 149.

At the break, with Sri Lanka having posted 274, what did you expect?

I expected the Wankhede wicket to get slower and gave Sri Lanka a 60-40 chance. I was proved wrong... (Gautam) Gambhir played a fantastic innings... MS (Dhoni) finished it off, but Gambhir provided the glue... Turned out to be a great day of cricket.

Finally, your thoughts on Team India...

(Pauses) Very talented, with some good young faces... For example, I’m very impressed with (Virat) Kohli... India’s No.1 challenge will be after 18 months or so, when there’s definitely going to be movement (through retirements) in the batting order. I see India always being a force in world cricket.