Adam Gilchrist has been the flag bearer of wicket keeper batsmen and it's no surprise that he thinks that the only other wicket keeper batsman who is in the same league as him is India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It's also no surprise that when the latter is in the sunset of his career, it is his own ilk that bats feistily for him. According to Gilchrist, India should be in no hurry to find a replacement for Dhoni as his experience is the perfect counter foil for the passion and aggression brought in by young blood in Team India.
The former Australian opening batsman is sure Virat Kohli will shatter all existing batting records and statistics given the way he is on the run scoring spree. Gilchrist was present for a discussion on perfection in sports called Royal Stag Barrel select Perfect Stokes in New Delhi. He was in the august company of sporting legends like former Chess World Champion Vishwanathan Anand, Germany's FIFA World Cup 1990 winning captain Lothar Mattaus and 1996 Olympics double gold medalist in 400m and 200m Michael Johnson
The Aussie legend also put his weight behind Steven Smith's Australia to win the Ashes starting soon. The mind games are on as is the verbal jousting and Gilchrist, in true Australian tradition, believes that leaving Ben Stokes out will only weaken England's case in the Ashes.
Gilchrist, hailing from the school of tough Aussie cricket, however is no fan of the rule changes related to fake fielding throws approved by the ICC recently and sees the fun and character being sucked out of the sport .
He also expressed concerns on the trend of cricketers in all countries including Australia being fast-tracked without getting toughened in the less glamorous grind of domestic cricket. Excerpts from an interaction.
On M.S. Dhoni — should he bat up the order?
I think he is just so versatile that he could play anywhere from 3-7. (laughs). This Indian team is full of options and flexibility and MS just adds to that. I'm not aware of his statistics of last 12 months but I don't think he's letting the team down when he is asked to do a job. I think they probably benefit more than they know from his experience of just being around. I love Virat and young Indian players, all their passion and aggression, but it's always nice to be balanced up with experience and wise head around, and I wonder whether people are undervaluing the experience and calmness MS will, no doubt, bring to the change room.
He will be 38 at the time of 2019 World Cup. How difficult will it be as his is an all rounder's job?
I don't know if he is keen, committed enough and prepared to make the sacrifices to be there. Fitness strikes me as a guy who is always able to carry out duties in physical sense. Really it's just a case of 'is there someone else in the wings who can add more value than MS can' and I can't answer that.
It's still two years away, a lot can happen between now and then. I think MS will make the right decision for Indian cricket, he'll know. I don't think he needs to force his hand.
He is already phasing out, doesn't play Test cricket and that position is filled nicely; they have a pretty good performer there. There will be plenty of options. Just like the big four batting positions get vacant, it takes some time to fill them. We felt that in Australia when our legends retired. I don't think everyone should wish MS Dhoni away right now and he will leave behind a big hole.
With Virat Kohli on run making spree, is Sachin Tendulkar's ODI record in danger?
I think every record and batting statistics are in danger across all formats, I really do! It's extraordinary the run scoring he can produce, and the consistency. It now hinges on playing overseas—South Africa, England... Look, he is a class player. If he doesn't break all batting records, he'll certainly get close to them.
There are concerns on the quality of players in various Test nations including Australia being handed Test caps with averages of 30 or so?
I think there is a little bit of concern about focus being taken off domestic cricket—Sheffield Shield is the real battlefield and that is where you earn your stripes for Australia. Elite programmes and fast tracking from U-19s into first class cricket and Sheffield Shield is order of the day and that is a bit of concern. All nations need to be aware that strength of their international team will come from strength of their domestic competitions.
Is the ICC going too far with its rules against fake fielding and ignoring gamesmanship in sport?
I cannot understand all the fake fielding situation. We saw last night MS keeping, the ball came in, he was in between the ball and stumps, he pretended to catch it but let it go between his legs; it hit stumps and there was a run out appeal. Brilliant, that's fantastic. Great to watch as a spectator. So if a fielder or bowler tries to deceive a batsman, bowl a slower one or fast bumper, why in the field you can't deceive them and trick them into a mistake. It's enjoyable to watch, in the spirit of the game; there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. That rule change I cannot understand.
I am OK with bat size—it's a generational change, I do think it's well worth monitoring. It's so heavily favoured in bat vs ball. Player behaviour and spirit— I don't think they need to be so stringent and dock points, they need a bit more of balanced adult approach to it. Allow umpires to take control and make judgement. It's an emotional game and if you get too regimental, it's going to take away all characters.
On Ashes and who he thinks has the edge
It will be an evenly fit series. Australia will start favourites; there are fitness and injury concerns and that could be a deciding factor.
His thoughts on Ben Stokes and how badly England will miss him if not picked
He's actually three players in one—batting bowling and fielding abilities. Plus, there's a fourth dimension that he is one of the leaders in the group. England will have to take this into account if they want to replace him. They will have to think a lot of things including the batting position then. England won't be a lesser team due to his absence but it will add to Australia as favourites.
His choice of wicket keeper for the Ashes—Peter Neville or Mathew Wade
There are a number of options there. Selectors need to figure out if Wade has earned his place- he has played six Test matches in the sub continent—it's not an easy place to keep, or bat at number 7.
I don't think Neville should have been dropped when he was just that. He was a big victim of the batting order.
