Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist is a name synonymous with excellence as a wicketkeeper-batter. Renowned for his quick reflexes behind the stumps and his dynamic presence, Gilchrist is often celebrated as one of the best in the game. Even MS Dhoni, a modern great in his own right, has named Gilchrist as his favorite wicketkeeper-batter. However, the 52-year-old has revealed that his own cricketing idol was the legendary Rodney Marsh.

Marsh, famously known as “Iron Gloves” for his exceptional skills, set a world record with 355 dismissals before retiring in 1984. Gilchrist, who is second on the list with 905 dismissals, credits Marsh as his primary inspiration. Reflecting on his influences, Gilchrist also admires MS Dhoni’s calm demeanour and the elegance of Kumar Sangakkara’s game. Dhoni’s composed approach and Sangakkara’s class, both as a batter and a wicketkeeper, have left a lasting impression on Gilchrist.

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“Rodney Marsh was my idol. That’s who I aspired to be. MS Dhoni… I appreciate his coolness. He always played his way, maintaining calm under pressure. And Kumar Sangakkara was so classy in everything he did, whether batting high up the order or behind the stumps,” Adam Gilchrist shared with TOI.

In addition to reminiscing about his idols, Gilchrist also reflected on iconic moments in cricket history. The 2021 Gabba Test is often cited as one of India’s greatest Test victories against Australia, but fewer remember the remarkable turnaround in the Kolkata Test of 2001.

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During that match, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman defied expectations by batting for nearly seven hours, leading India to a stunning victory after being forced to follow on. Gilchrist recalled the game, noting, “Kolkata, 2001, when VVS (Laxman) and (Rahul) Dravid batted all day, they completely shut us out of the game. Reflecting on it now, you realize you were part of something truly special.”