Adam Gilchrist has paid tribute to his Deccan Chargers side after they lifted the 2009 Indian Premier League title.
Captain delighted to see the Deccan turnaround complete
Adam Gilchrist has paid tribute to his Deccan Chargers side after they lifted the 2009 Indian Premier League title.
The Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, who was named player of the tournament at a glittering closing ceremony at the Wanderers, led his side to a six-run triumph against the Bangalore Royal Challengers in Sunday's final.
Victory completed a remarkable turnaround for the team after they had finished bottom in the inaugural IPL season - and Gilchrist was thrilled to have upset the odds.
Underdogs
"We certainly felt at the start of the tournament that we were coming in as one of the least favoured teams," Gilchrist said.
"I really encouraged our team to try to play everything down and fly under the radar if you like, because we were happy with that, without having any expectations on us.
"This is only the cricket I play now, so given what we went through last year, this is just a really tremendous effort from the whole franchise to turn it around. It's just been a great experience.
"The first thing I said at the start of our first meeting was, 'Guys, we're all in it together'. That was my first line of our first team meeting and yeah, we're all going to enjoy this together.
"Who would have thought that last game last year we were playing for the wooden spoon and this year we're playing off for the title?"
Regrets
Gilchrist's opposite number Kumble also oversaw a dramatic turnaround with the Challengers after finishing second-bottom last year but he could not hide his disappointment in falling at the final hurdle.
"I think any cricket game when you reach the final and lose, obviously it hurts. I feel 143 was gettable on this track, we were cruising and maybe those two wickets in two balls didn't help our cause," Kumble added.
"Without a decent partnership, we still came close to one hit, but that's basically what cost us the match at the end.
"Overall, if we look back at the whole tournament, I think the way we bounce back, to win five games in a row and get to the final was very creditable. We didn't do well last year and turned it around nicely this time.
"In this game we lost too many wickets, we never should have lost nine wickets, going into the last over and we paid the price. But credit to Deccan Chargers, they played a great game."
