Gilly picks Sachin`s Boxing Day ton as his finest

Bangalore: Australian great Adam Gilchrist on Wednesday 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.