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Adam Gilchrist: It’s difficult to describe India to my friends and family back home
Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist who recently visited Delhi University’s Conference Centre in North Campus, spoke about his life as a sportsman and was bowled over by his welcome.
For Adam Gilchrist, the former captain of the Australian cricket team, a trip to India is always a culturally enriching experience. During his time here, the legendary cricketer visited Delhi University’s Conference Centre in North Campus and was welcomed by the Kirori Mal College (KMC)’s choir, who sang Saraswati Vandana. “I think that’s the beauty of India. When I go back home, I try to describe to my countrymen, my colleagues and my family what India is. The experience that you have and the value that it adds, culturally, are very difficult to describe back home. Coming over here and experiencing fresh bits adds to the cultural experience [each time],” said Gilchrist.
The ace left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper was in the university to deliver a talk on Life As A Sportsman, which was held in association with KMC and Australia India Institute. Along with emphasising the significance of sports, he also stressed the need to encourage more women participation in sports. “In Australia, we have the Women’s Big Bash League, which has a couple of Indian players. But in order to really give the game a boost here, you need to create opportunities for more girls to participate in cricket or any sport, at the grass root level, and create a pathway for them to reach the higher level from there,” he said.
Gilchrist was also touched by the loud cheers he got from the crowd. “I appreciate an arousing reception of people cheering so much, while I am walking into the room but in my home country a lot of people don’t know who I am,” he says reminiscing a funny incident. “It was not long ago when I had a meet and greet day. There were lots of photos and selfies, and I was smiling all day. Next day, I went to the airport to fly to Belgium for a similar activity and was pretty exhausted. I thought I’ve got half an hour at the airport, which I called ’me time’. Then, I sensed a gentleman looking at me... I saw him staring eagerly and I thought not now mate, not now and he conjured up the courage to come up and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and smiled with a game face, and said ’Hi mate’ and he said ‘Are you Glenn McGrath?’. And I got to know that I’m not that famous,” said Gilly, and the room burst into laughter.
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