Virat Kohli, Joe Root and AB De Villiers are best in the world, says Adam Gilchrist
Correction Note:
Dear reader, The initial version of this report on our portal stated that we had exclusive quotes from Adam Gilchrist at the event that took place at Manipal, Karnataka on November 11. We wish to clarify that while we did have representation at the event, we did not obtain exclusive quotes from the Australian. At Sportskeeda.com our objective is always to report events as they occur while retaining an independent opinion. We did not at any stage, during the reporting of this event, attempt to claim exclusivity. We hereby apologise for the error on the initial version of the report. At Sportskeeda.com our efforts have always been sincere towards unfabricated journalism and we will continue to provide you with authentic and truly reliable news. We thank you for your patronage.
Adam Gilchrist, ‘Gilly’ as he is popularly known, has been one of the most entertaining players the game has seen. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, he revolutionised the role, ushering in a generation of wicketkeepers who could bat exceedingly well; a departure from the days when wicket-keeping was a specialist job.
In an Aussie team that loved to play the game hard, he was one gentleman who epitomised the honesty and spirit of the game – we all remember the famous ‘walking incident’ after his dismissal in the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. In short, he was a great ambassador of the game.
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Post his illustrious cricketing career, Adam Gilchrist has been playing a key role in strengthening Australia’s ties with India in the field of education. Gilly was in Manipal, Karnataka on November 11, as a part of the delegation from the University of Wollongong led by Professor Paul Wellings, in his capacity as Australia’s Education Ambassador to India.
In an event organised to discuss the University’s activities in India and sign a MoU between the University of Wollongong and Manipal University, Gilly took questions during an interaction with the students, staff and faculty of Manipal University.
When asked about what he thinks about Virat Kohli, his reply was, "I'm not saying this because I'm in India, but Virat, Joe and AB De Villiers are the best in the world right now"
On being asked about the most difficult bowler and opponent he had faced up to in his career, the Aussie had this to say, “Murali was very difficult. I had no clue most of the time. I'd think it would come in and it would rip past my blade and vice versa and then a quicker one in between. I just swept him when I wasn't sure (chuckles).
“And as a team, the most difficult opponent we faced were India in India. We came here in 2001 and had no clue about the conditions but it was a very good series and a learning experience for a lot of us. We almost won in 2001. Then when we came back here in 2004 we crossed that line and actually won. So yeah India has always been a tough side to beat at home."
When asked about his most intense personal experience, Gilly was at his wittiest best, “Personally, my most intense moment on the cricket pitch was keeping wickets to Warnie. If I missed a stumping off his bowling and when he stood at first slip in the next over, yeah it was pretty intense”
The swashbuckling left-hander, who donned multiple hats during his playing career as a batsman, opener, wicketkeeper and occasionally as captain, has been doing just that after his retirement as well. He is an ambassador for the charity World Vision in India, a commentator for Channel 9 during the Australian summer and for Channel 10 during the Big Bash.
As the ambassador of Amway Australia, Gilly has played a role in many of their charity events. In August 2010, he presented the Freedom Wheels program, an initiative to provide modified bikes to kids with disabilities.
Gilchrist scored 5570 runs from 96 Test at an average of 47.60 and 9619 runs from 287 ODIs. Behind the stumps, he had close to 800 catches and 100 stumpings to his credit in international cricket.