Centurion, May 23 (Inditop) Deccan Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist says retiring from international cricket helped him stay afresh for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Gilchrist hit a whirlwind 85 off just 35 balls as Deccan Chargers demolished Delhi Daredevils by six wickets in the first semi-final of the IPL at the SuperSport Park here Friday. He also scored the fastest IPL half-century in just 17 balls.
The Australian, who retired from international cricket in March 2008, hit 10 fours and five sixes during his hurricane knock that swept aside Delhi Daredevils, who had topped the league standings.
“Amazing what a little bit of freshness does, coming back after a year off. I just wanted to stay with the run rate, put a little pressure on them. I thought the bowlers closed it out very well. The ground fielding and enthusiasm was there. Two horse race in the final, anyone can win,” Gilchrist said after the match.
Gilchrist is also the second highest scorer in the IPL with 495 runs, behind compatriot and Chennai Super KIngs’ Matthew Hayden, who has scored 546 runs with one match to go.
Daredevils’ captain Virender Sehwag conceded it was not his team’s day and said Gilchrist’s innings made all the difference.
“It wasn’t our day, bowlers tried everything but it all went for fours and sixes. I thought 153 was defendable. I tried everything but today was Gilchrist’s day,” Sehwag maintained.
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