Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist today said losing five successive matches freed his teammates' minds as the defending champions scripted a dramatic turnaround to reach the semifinal of the Indian Premier League.
Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist today said losing five successive matches freed his teammates' minds as the defending champions scripted a dramatic turnaround to reach the semifinal of the Indian Premier League.
"After five losses in a row, we knew we could not afford to lose another game. That freed us a lot, from the cloud of uncertainty and we knew what our job was," said the Chargers skipper ahead of his team's semifinal clash against Chennai Super Kings at the D Y Patil Stadium here.
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Australia had a similar predicament in the 1999 World Cup in England when they had to win seven games at a stretch to lift the coveted title which they did in style under Steve Waugh.
Gilchrist said that thought did not cross his mind while conceding that there was some similarity. "I had not really thought of it. There's a lot of synergy there. Seven games we had to go undefeated (in the World Cup). We won five, had a tie and then won the last one (final against Pakistan). Seven (successive wins) is the number for us this time (to clinch the T20 title)," he remarked.
Talking about the semifinal, Gilchrist did not think that having won the two league matches against the Super Kings gave his any advantage.
"We know anything can happen. Chennai is one of the stronger squads in the tournament. You look at their bench strength. We were fortunate to get a couple of positive results against them in the last couple of times, it gives us a nice positive feeling," the retired Australian wicket keeper said.
On the Mongoose bat used by his former Australia mate and current Super Kings rival Mathew Hayden, Gilchrist felt there was a place for it in cricket.
"Yeah have talked about it (with Hayden). It's a unique bat and in focus since Matty started on fire. The focus is gone off the Mongoose a little bit (after Hayden's form dipped). I'm sure it has got a place in the game," he said.
u00a0Gilchrist did not agree with the view that absence from playing any other competitive cricket, except IPL, has taken some edge from his batting.
"It's not difficult at all (playing in IPL straightaway). I have no desire to play domestic cricket, I am done with that," he said.
"I am going to play a few games for Middlesex in winter (Australian). It's good to play a few games at Lord's, which is a unique experience. I will be with the MCC, which is such a prestigious cricket club. To be involved with them and Middlesex is something I'm looking forward to. I would be ready to go into next IPL," he said confidently.u00a0
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