New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag took to micro-blogging site Twitter to wish Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, as he turned 45 today.
The Nawab of Najafgarh wrote in his typical Viru style, invoking India's traditional game of Gilli-Danda and perfectly conjuring up a beautiful word-play with Gilchrist's nickname.
“Today is a day to play Gilli Danda as a tribute to the incredible @gilly381 . Happy Birthday Adam Gilchrist,” the Master troller wrote.
They spent some time together playing for Kings XI Punjab in IPL.
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar too hailed Gilchrist as one of the best wicketkeepers of all times.
The Mumbaikar wrote on his Twitter account, "One of the best men to have ever stood behind a wicket, @gilly381! A very Happy Birthday to you mate! I hope you catch all the good times!"
Gilchrist, regarded as one the greats, redefined the role of wicketkeeper-batsman with his explosive batting. He played 96 Tests, 287 ODIs and 13 Twenty20 Internationals for the Australian team, amassing over 15000 runs.
Popularly known as Gilly to his team-mates, and legions of fans, the former Aussie keeper retired from international cricket in March 2008, but continued to play in the Indian Premier League and other franchise-based leagues around the world.
He famously took a wicket off the very first ball he bowled in his last IPL match for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), that of Harbhajan Singh of Mumbai Indians.
Interestingly, the Indian spinner was also one of the main protagonists, besides Andrew Symonds, in the infamous 'Monkeygate' which threatened to spoil the cricketing relationship between the two nations.
Gilchrist, in his 2008 autobiography, questioned Tendulkar's evidence in the scandal. But the two greats have since buried the hatchet with the Aussie apologising to the Master Blaster.
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