A gentle goodbye turned into a final act of madness; this is Gilchrist: unplugged
The date was May 18, 2013, and the venue was Dharamsala. Kings XI Punjab were playing their final league game of IPL 2013 against the Mumbai Indians. Out of playoff contention, the match was winding down. Mumbai needed a staggering 51 off the final over—basically impossible with just 1 wicket in hand.
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But then something unexpected happened: Adam Gilchrist took off his gloves and handed them over. Yes, that Gilchrist—one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters the world has ever seen—was about to bowl.
Credit: Daily Mail
Now, here's the twist: Gilchrist, a southpaw with the bat, chose to bowl right-arm off-spin. Just imagine the crowd's reaction! Cameras were ready, fans stood, and curiosity filled the air. Harbhajan Singh stood at the crease, unaware of what was about to unfold.
The first ball: a loopy delivery, Harbhajan took the bait, swung hard, and sent it straight into the hands of Gurkeerat Singh at long-on. Wicket! The stadium erupted. Gilly had his moment.
Credit: Times Now
That's right. One ball, one wicket. A bowling average of zero and a strike rate of one. Name another cricketer with those numbers in T20s—we'll wait. It wasn't just a wicket; it was the moment. The kind of trivia gold that only the IPL can serve up.
Credit: Indian Cricket Team Update
What do you do after taking a wicket in your only over? If you're Adam Gilchrist, you break into Gangnam Style right there on the field. That dance, that celebration—it wasn't just funny but unforgettable. The perfect sign-off for a man who always brought flair, passion, and fun to the game.
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Gilchrist had bowled just once before—in a List A match where he went wicketless. The IPL? That's a different story. This wasn't just a retirement cameo; it was theatre. It was a joy. It was pure Gilchrist.
So, next time someone asks you for a wild IPL fact, pose this question: Who has a perfect bowling average and also nailed Gangnam Style in the same over?
