Showing the way to lesser lights

Expecting loyalty to be acknowledged when the face of the team himself isn't assured is a tall ask. However, Harmeet Singh's faith in Adam Gilchrist - the Kings XI skipper and coach - has gone up manifold after the former Australian great took him under his wings, once again.

Expecting loyalty to be acknowledged when the face of the team himself isn't assured is a tall ask. However, Harmeet Singh's faith in Adam Gilchrist - the Kings XI skipper and coach - has gone up manifold after the former Australian great took him under his wings, once again.

For the first two years of his IPL career, Harmeet, the unfancied Punjab seamer, was a vital cog in Gilchrist's plans at Deccan Chargers. But things got difficult for Singh when Gilchrist left for Kings XI Punjab last year. "There were too many pace bowlers in Deccan Chargers at that time and I had to wait for my chance. But I knew Kings XI didn't have that many fast bowling options," said the 24-year-old.

"The presence of Gilchrist in KXIP came as the icing on the cake," he said. "I had not lost touch with Gilchrist. So one day I told him about my problem and he said he would look into it. This year, I was taken by Kings XI."

"We get on well with each other," said Gilchrist, when asked about Harmeet. "We share a common philosophy and both like to work hard.

"I know Harmeet hasn't featured prominently in domestic cricket, but he continues to try hard," added Gilchrist.