'IPL T20 a landmark in cricket'

Describing IPL Twenty20 tournament as "a landmark in cricket", Adam Gilchrist said after 30 years when people look back, they would say it was the most important thing to have happened in the game.

Describing IPL Twenty20 tournament as "a landmark in cricket", former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist said after 30 years when people look back, they would say it was the most important thing to have happened in the game.

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"It (IPL) has been such a unique event. It is a landmark time in cricket and the direction which cricket goes (from here on) would be interesting to watch," Gilchrist told reporters in Mohali after his team Deccan Chargers lost to Kings XI Punjab by six wickets on Friday night.

"Thirty years later when people take a look back, they would say it was IPL that changed the direction of cricket," he added.

Deccan Chargers are languishing at the bottom of the IPL points table and Gilchrist said though he was disappointed at his team's poor showing, "there are lot of positives which we are going to take (for the next edition)".

"During the last couple of matches, the team has been showing definite signs of improvement and that's a pleasing part. I have belief in these guys and believe they can make impact (next time)," he said.

Asked about his experience of playing in the IPL, Gilchrist said, "My experience has been fantastic. I really enjoyed playing though it has been a new challenge for me to be in this scenario. But when I have to sit back I would wonder why we did not perform better."

The retired Australian great said he had always loved playing in India as "it is always great to play in the land of billion people who have so much passion for this game".