IPL: Gilchrist excited about his new role as captain-cum-coach of Kings XI Punjab

Adam Gilchrist, who gave up all forms of international cricket five years back, still doesn’t miss a trick when it comes to preparing for the IPL, writes The Times Of India. “We are all professional cricketers playing in this tournament. I don’t think getting ourselves prepared for the tournament is an issue for us. I hit the gym a few weeks back to get into shape and have also been batting in the nets for some time now. I have played enough cricket in the sub-continent, so hitting top form in the IPL should not be an issue,” he said.

The former Australian wicketkeeper-opener sounded really excited about his new role of captain and mentor as he began training with his Kings XI Punjab unit in Chandigarh on Tuesday. “I am looking forward to a new role this year. I don’t think there will be any sort of extra pressure on me because we have a very strong coaching unit to back me up. Vikram (Rathore) and Joe (Dawes) are very experienced and it will be good to have physio Patrick Farhart back with us,” Gilchrist told TOI on Tuesday.

Talking to Indian Express on age factor in cricket, Gilly said that age was just a number and it was important to have a professional outlook. “In my opinion, age cannot be a seen as a restriction in modern cricket. If one is fit enough then he can prolong his career. It becomes more challenging with every passing year though. But experience can be an asset in T20 cricket too,” said Gilchrist, adding that taking a call about their future should be the sole right of players.

“It is their call. I am no one to speculate on the future of these legends. It is commendable that Rahul Dravid decided to call it quits, irrespective of the fact that he was still doing well in Tests except for the poor series in Australia. As far as Sachin Tendulkar and VVS go, it is up to them when they want to say goodbye. They have had spectacular careers and one should not impose anything on them. They would themselves know when it’s time.”

Meanwhile Hindustan Times writes that IPL is hampering juniors rather than helping them.

That the Indian Premier League was essentially a reaction to India's version of World Series Cricket, the lovechild of Packer and prime time television programming, is a fact that need not be reiterated.

“What needs to be questioned, though, is its initial premise, that of revitalising Indian cricket by providing youngsters with big-match exposure and, in turn, creating a talent pool that could be tapped into for sure and, in turn, creating a tale pool that could be tapped into for the country's international gains. Barring the odd contribution to India's ODI team, the annual two-month long carnival, in which matches get wrapped up within three hours but parties go on through the night, has failed to produce a steady stream of quality cricketers who can last the distance, at least in the most gruelling format of the game.”

Worse, it has sounded the Worse, it has sounded death knell for the career of many promising juniors who hopped aboard the gravy train, adds HT. Says one such player on condition of anonymity: “Looking back, I now realise how much I lost in those two months (of the IPL). Being the centre of attention and living in five-star hotels was way too much for me. I got into boozing and partying, and was also majorly distracted by the girls. I could not give up on that lifestyle, and that eventually cost me a place in my state team.”

Other news (TOI, HT, Indian Express, The Tribune, The Hindu)

Williamson tons saves NZ: Kane Williamson scored his second Test century and guided New Zealand to an unexpected draw as the hosts made 200 for six at the end of the third and final Test against South Africa on Tuesday. The hosts had been chasing an improbable 389 for victory and Williamson batted calmly after his team were destroyed by Morne Morkel's career-best figures of 6-23.

England strike back after batting collapse: Sri Lanka, leading England by 125 runs on the first innings, were 84-5 in second innings at stumps on the second day of the first Test on Tuesday. Suraj Randiv is unbeaten on two and Dinesh Chandimal is on 17. Off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed four wickets. Earlier, England were all out for 193 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's 318.