Sportskeeda's All-Time Test XI: From the realms of immortality

#6 – Adam Gilchrist (Wicket-Keeper and Vice-Captain) (Australia)

Gilchrist was a trendsetter in every sense

A thorough gentleman who competed hard and fair, Adam Gilchrist revolutionized the role of a wicket-keeper batsman with his exhilarating outlook and free-spirited array of shots. Entering into the limelight on the back of long-time glove man Ian Healy’s unceremonious exit, he quickly endeared himself to Australian supporters by infusing freshness as well as a renewed sense of purpose to his team.

Even though his work behind the stumps did not echo the dexterity of Healy nor the assuredness of Rod Marsh, Gilchrist gradually improved over the years and became the heart of Australia's all-conquering team of the early 2000s. A smart tactician who never shied away from sharing his opinion on field setting or bowling changes, he led them in breaching ‘The Final Frontier’ during the 2004-05 tour to India.

Did You Know – A ‘walker’ who often did not hang around for the umpire’s signal, Gilchrist revealed in his autobiography (True Colours), “I was silently accused of betraying the team. Implicitly I was made to feel selfish, as if I was walking for the sake of my own clean image, thereby making everyone else look dishonest.”

Statistics: 5570 runs from 96 matches at an average of 47.60 with 17 centuries and 26 fifties & 379 catches and 37 stumpings.