'We can tick-mark the India box,' says Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist speaks to the media after wrapping up the series win in India
Dileep Premachandran in Nagpur
26-Jul-2005
As Australian cricket soaked up its finest hour in India since the days of the first moon landings, Adam Gilchrist, the stand-in captain, didn't forget Stephen Waugh, who "had shown the way". After sending India tumbling to her heaviest-ever defeat, Gilchrist addressed the media on what the achievement meant to his team, and how they had conquered what had been inhospitable terrain for so long:
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On the difference between this and the last series between the two sides in Australia
It was the game-plans we had. Our preparation was also a factor, as was the amazing experience and knowledge we gained from the series here three years ago.
It was the game-plans we had. Our preparation was also a factor, as was the amazing experience and knowledge we gained from the series here three years ago.
On how differently they approached this tour after the experiences of 2001
It was very difficult for us to take the foot off the gas then and be patient. Maybe it had something to do with winning 16 games on the trot. But the experience from that certainly helped us here.
It was very difficult for us to take the foot off the gas then and be patient. Maybe it had something to do with winning 16 games on the trot. But the experience from that certainly helped us here.
On how he rated this victory
It's right up there. Captaining this team has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience. I've tapped into everyone's knowledge, used every shoulder to lean on and chatted with all my team-mates, and the support staff. But it's been no more important to us than any other series. When we go to England in seven months' time, people will ask how important the Ashes are. But we want to win everything, and it's nice to be able to put a tick-mark in the box next to India.
It's right up there. Captaining this team has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience. I've tapped into everyone's knowledge, used every shoulder to lean on and chatted with all my team-mates, and the support staff. But it's been no more important to us than any other series. When we go to England in seven months' time, people will ask how important the Ashes are. But we want to win everything, and it's nice to be able to put a tick-mark in the box next to India.
On whether he saw this as the pinnacle of the team's achievements
I'm not going to make this a summit. Australians teams have won here before, and hopefully they will continue to win here now. The knowledge and experience gained, and the belief will help.
I'm not going to make this a summit. Australians teams have won here before, and hopefully they will continue to win here now. The knowledge and experience gained, and the belief will help.
On whether he thought the Indians lost the mental battle on seeing the pitch
Yeah, I do. It's easy for that to happen when you play all your cricket on spinning, dusty surfaces. I think Australian sides of the past would come here and get psyched out. But we adapted, as we had done in Sri Lanka six months ago when they produced absolute dustbowls. We play well in most conditions now. And when you talk of India's successes in Australia last year, I don't think those were typical Australian pitches. They were slowish, the bounce was lower than normal and there wasn't the seam movement you usually find. This pitch was certainly more similar to Australian conditions than some of those. And looking at the pitch, I don't think they got their selection right either. I think a third seamer was necessary out there. Home conditions in each country are unique. That's the challenge of playing Test cricket. But to see a pitch like the one here was absolutely fantastic for us.
Yeah, I do. It's easy for that to happen when you play all your cricket on spinning, dusty surfaces. I think Australian sides of the past would come here and get psyched out. But we adapted, as we had done in Sri Lanka six months ago when they produced absolute dustbowls. We play well in most conditions now. And when you talk of India's successes in Australia last year, I don't think those were typical Australian pitches. They were slowish, the bounce was lower than normal and there wasn't the seam movement you usually find. This pitch was certainly more similar to Australian conditions than some of those. And looking at the pitch, I don't think they got their selection right either. I think a third seamer was necessary out there. Home conditions in each country are unique. That's the challenge of playing Test cricket. But to see a pitch like the one here was absolutely fantastic for us.
On adapting to different conditions
We won in Bangalore, which was your typical Indian wicket, slow and with lots of turn for the spinners. We dominated the game too. And in Chennai, which was another fairly typical pitch, we were outplayed on the first day but fought back really well. I think we can take great heart from that. The Indians were exposed in New Zealand too, a little before the World Cup. In some ways, I think they're where we were three years ago in terms of adapting to different environments.
We won in Bangalore, which was your typical Indian wicket, slow and with lots of turn for the spinners. We dominated the game too. And in Chennai, which was another fairly typical pitch, we were outplayed on the first day but fought back really well. I think we can take great heart from that. The Indians were exposed in New Zealand too, a little before the World Cup. In some ways, I think they're where we were three years ago in terms of adapting to different environments.
On how it felt to be up there with the greatest of Australia's Test captains
When I look back and reflect on this, I don't think I'll see myself as one of the Test captains. Those are guys who do the job for an era. Ricky [Ponting] will do that, and I'm sure that he'll do a wonderful job. I think he would have led us to victory because the team plans didn't change.
When I look back and reflect on this, I don't think I'll see myself as one of the Test captains. Those are guys who do the job for an era. Ricky [Ponting] will do that, and I'm sure that he'll do a wonderful job. I think he would have led us to victory because the team plans didn't change.
On how long Australia have planned for this success
That's hard to say, but I reckon John Buchanan's mind has been ticking from the moment the game got over in Chennai three years ago. Speaking for myself, even when we came for the TVS Cup last year, whenever I batted in the nets, I was preparing with a view to facing Harbhajan [Singh] and Anil [Kumble] in a Test-match situation.
That's hard to say, but I reckon John Buchanan's mind has been ticking from the moment the game got over in Chennai three years ago. Speaking for myself, even when we came for the TVS Cup last year, whenever I batted in the nets, I was preparing with a view to facing Harbhajan [Singh] and Anil [Kumble] in a Test-match situation.
On how the team's approach off the field was a factor in the success
I think we achieved a better balance this time. Previous Australian teams would come here and get angry and a bit fed up of all the attention. But on our last two tours, we came with the idea of embracing the culture, and I think in some ways we overdid it. I tried to sign every autograph, make every appearance and in the end, India can gobble you up a bit too much, such is the intensity of the passion for cricket. This time, we even had a wonderful break in between, where I was even able to go and meet my family in another country. I think it was all well planned.
I think we achieved a better balance this time. Previous Australian teams would come here and get angry and a bit fed up of all the attention. But on our last two tours, we came with the idea of embracing the culture, and I think in some ways we overdid it. I tried to sign every autograph, make every appearance and in the end, India can gobble you up a bit too much, such is the intensity of the passion for cricket. This time, we even had a wonderful break in between, where I was even able to go and meet my family in another country. I think it was all well planned.
Dileep Premachandran is assistant editor of Wisden Cricinfo.