Gilly picks Sachin's Boxing Day ton as his finest

Bangalore: Australian great Adam Gilchrist today rated retiring batting legend Sachin Tendulkar's Boxing Day century in 1999 as one of his finest innings and said that particular knock proved how good a Test player he is.

"It was a Boxing day Test at the MCG in 1999. That innings stands out in my mind. It made me quickly realise how good a Test player he is. He played in alien conditions which most Indians had an issue to sort out," Gilchrist told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by the University of Wollongong (UOW), one of Australia's leading research and higher education institutions, here.

Tendulkar had scored a masterly 116 out of India's 212 at Melbourne against Australia. It was his last Test century as captain, and his 52 in the second innings was India's top score as well.

Asked about his views on suggestions that Tendulkar should be made India's sports minister post retirement, Gilchrist said, "Sachin is a Member of Parliament and if there are calls for him to be a sports minister, who knows."

Former Test cricketer Chandu Borde, legendary athlete Milkha Singh and Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar had yesterday come up with the suggestion to make Tendulkar India's next sports minister.

Gilchrist, who had fought many a battle against the maestro, said Sachin could also take up a commentator's job or be on a media assignment.

"Whenever he has something to say, everybody will be interested to listen to him - whether it is commentary or some sort of a place in media where he will get an opportunity to comment on various things," he added.

Gilchrist also said he would imagine Sachin would take some time off for his family and children before he could take up any other post-retirement job.

Since making his international debut in 1996 to playing his last game in 2008, Gilchrist has scored around 15,000 runs across Tests and ODIs besides effecting 416 and 472 dismissals in the two formats, respectively.

The 41-year-old said he won't be there in Mumbai to watch the match due to prior commitments.

"I wouldn't be going to Mumbai as I have commitments back home, but I will be very much interested to watch the game and the result. I wish him all the best," said Gilchrist, who will be turning 42 the day Tendulkar's final Test starts.

Gilchrist supports Dravid on legalising betting

Gilchrist supports Dravid on legalising betting

Bangalore: Australian great Adam Gilchrist today supported former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid on the subject of legalising betting in India if it helps eradicate corruption in sports.

"I support his (Dravid) comments on legalising betting. If it is going to eradicate corruption, it's got to be a positive move," he told reporters here at an event organised by the University of Wollongong (UOW), one of Australia's leading research and higher education institutions.

Gilchrist said though there are challenges to legalise betting on regulatory front, it is important to discourage corruption in cricket.

"I don't know the delicacies around it in India. I come from a country where gambling is legal, and is well controlled and regulated. So, there are challenges but if it is going to eradicating corruption, I will be supporting it," he added.

Dravid yesterday had said that he was in favour of legalising betting if such a step could help reduce corruption in sports. "If it can help in reducing corruption, I am all for it," he had said.

Asked whether all players going into auction pool would disturb evenness in the next IPL, Gilchrist said it was a great challenge for the governing body to keep the tournament even by retaining at least six players.

"It is crucial we don't take for granted the spectators. The level of loyalty needs to be there and for that I would like to see six players to be retained in each side to maintain evenness in the tournament," he said.

Gilchrist credited Chennai Super Kings for consistency in their recruiting policy, which builds the foundation around a group of players.

Mumbai obviously has started to move in that direction too, he added.